Posted on 01/10/2012 7:54:43 PM PST by dagogo redux
Well, here’s the totalitarian state, right before my eyes!
Today in the mail came a largish envelop for me from The “National Agricultural Statistics Service”, postage and fees paid by USDA Permit No. G-38.
A prominant blocked off area on the envelop front stated in large bold letters, “YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.”
Also on the envelop and several places inside I find Obama-style logos for the USDA, and one with “AGRICULTURE COUNTS” around the outside, and at the base of the rolling landscape “NASS,” which stands for National Agricultural Statistics Service.
That’s right: now we have a National Agricultural Classification Survey, aka U.S. Census of Agriculture Report, aka NACS_01 (10/20/11) Project 633.
It’s a 4 page census form wanting to know all manner of info about myself and my 1.35 acres, including exquisit details about Acres Operated, Cropland, Grain Storage, Livestock, Poultry, Aquaculture, and Bees, as well as business details such as Production Contracts, Labor, Sales, Federal Farm Program Payments and Expenses. We have some vegetable and flower gardens and a few fruit trees - all for our own enjoyment and consumption. 1.35 acres.
We then have a full page chock full of nosey little questions about the Internet Access of “The Operation,” and about the personal info of The Operator(s), any Change of Operator, Possible Duplication or Other Names of the operator or operations.
An accompanying letter with the Obama logos of two types at the top has the following instructions:
“If you do not have any agricultural activity, or believe that you have received this in error, please indicate that on the form and return it so we can update our records.”
This is followed - in HUGE, BOLD font inside a bold, three-edged window - by the heart of the matter:
“The National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) is required by law. If you do not reply, you may be personally visited or you may receive a telephone call.”
WTF?
Besides a letter or two and some phone calls to Congress critters, I think I will make the non-answering of this crap my first official act of civil disobedience.
I understand I may risk being “personally visited,” or “may receive a phone call,” but I’ll just have to deal somehow with those important matters if/ when they arise.
Tell them that you are growing marijuana and they’ll send you a subsidy check and a government contract to supply the schools in urban areas as part of a cultural development project to encourage the next generation of rap stars.
You tell them about that and you will never get any visits!
I received one this year, as I have several times in the past. Just shred the damn thing - I have never sent one back. Only once did a contract worker knock on my door - they were promptly told to leave immediately, which they did.
The maximum fine for non-compliance is $100.00. I have never been fined. If I were, I would etch “kiss my a$$” on 10,000 pennies and hand deliver the bag.
Shredder. That was easy!
Are you new to agriculture?
I explained the last time this was raised, this survey is related to the Census of Agriculture, which is done every 5 years. Farmers have responded to it for decades, and don’t make a big deal of it. Rather than complain to those who can’t help you, you’d be better served by contacting the agency who sent the survey, especially if you’re not engaged in agriculture.
Guess it's here.
As I keep saying, voting won't get us back our freedom. Only hard measures can do that.
Sorry - didn’t see that, and didn’t pick it up with a search.
Thanks for that link.
What they really want to know if how many sheep you have! :-)
You must obey the public serpents.
This is the second post I’ve seen. There was another FReeper, I believe, that posted about this. I wish i could remember his/her monicker.....but I can’t. Scary.
I suggest you put up a very large sign, warning trespassers of the presence of self defense weapons on your property, and indicate that in your response.
Fill in that you are a Hobby Farm and raise Free Range Rattlesnakes, stop by for a visit any time.
Its real and has been discussed here.
My suggestions:
Do not fill out the form.
On a separate sheet of paper write.
You have no jurisdiction over my family garden.
Upon your arrival, please read my Trespass warnings.
This kind of crap is why the USDA is closing 249 offices.
That’s it, tw! Thanks!
Just another step in the war on “survivors”.
My response should perhaps be modeled on those great burn-a-Koran YouTube videos, only I would not burn the thing, but use the survey, letter and envelop to demonstrate composting for home gardeners.
To heck with delivering. Go to their website http://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/index.asp and email them.
"It is on the front porch. If you hustle you might beat the local neighborhood kids to it."
Then I would set up a camera to get the video of them trying to make off with a pile of pennies.
Oh, I didn't mention the "no bag" part? Sorry `bout that!
.
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