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Summary of FASA

Friends of Agricultural Statistics and Analysis (FASA) stakeholders depend on the reliable production of timely, accurate, and objective food, agricultural, rural economic, and resource statistics and market information. FASA supports the maintenance and growth of agriculture, food, and resource statistics and analysis.

 

The USDA produces a vast amount of data and information that directly inform decisions by food and agricultural market participants, agricultural input and food businesses, banks and other credit institutions and those who make food, farm, economic development, and trade policy. American agriculture, rural America, food, and resource-based industries depend on the reliable production of timely, accurate, and objective food, agricultural, rural economic, and resource statistics and market information. FASA supports the maintenance and growth of agriculture, food, and resource statistics, data, and analysis through the USDA Research, Education and Economics Mission Area (USDA REE), as well as other sources in the USDA portfolio.

 

USDA REE performs essential research and analyses with these and other data to elucidate the factors influencing agricultural production, management, and the agricultural and rural economies.

 

The Friends of Agricultural Statistics and Analysis (FASA) group is convening to achieve the following objectives: 

 

  • Create a network of users of federal agricultural data, information, and analytical findings to facilitate the distribution of information, opinions, and ideas about USDA data-relevant agencies among users;

  • Act as a reservoir of individuals and organizations to participate in briefings, seminars, and other educational events for the public and for public policy decision makers about the utility and overall value of data-related USDA agencies; and

  • Support USDA data, information, and analysis as programs that provide critical data and tools to a wide variety of users for a wide array of purposes.

 

We aim to assemble a core group of stakeholders to engage in public awareness efforts such as, but not limited to:

  • Developing educational outreach materials to augment discussions about how USDA data and information is used in business, research, innovation, and trade;

  • Organizing and conducting congressional briefings on current and future needs for agricultural data, information, and analysis, specifically highlighting the significance of these resources to our national economy, communities, and institutions;

  • Convening forums on current issues in agricultural statistics and analysis; and

  • Recognizing outstanding public and private champions of agricultural statistics and analysis.

 

We aim, within the network of supporters, to:

  • Keep apprised of changes in USDA data-related programs, status of funding, and other agricultural statistics and analysis-related news;

  • Share opportunities where individual members of the community undertake efforts to directly support agricultural data and analysis.

 

Please join this important effort to gain access to a network of supporters for agricultural statistics and analysis.

 

*Please note that membership in the FASA coalition is free of charge. Individuals, associations and other organizations, and private firms are all eligible for membership. FASA will not take positions on particular programs or surveys of the USDA agencies, focusing instead on the overall capacity of the Department to serve the data and analytical requirement of its customers. Membership in FASA would not prevent an organization or individual from taking positions on specific programs, but the FASA group as a whole represents and put its imprimatur only on activities geared toward the greater public good.

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