New Mexico Agriculture Secretary reminds agriculture industry to complete Census
LAS CRUCES – The final deadline to complete the 2020 Census has been extended to Oct. 31 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture reminds farmers, ranchers and everyone within the agriculture community to respond to the census either online, over the phone, by mail or in person, as door-to-door operations that were temporarily suspended in March have now resumed across the state.
The decennial census is a simple 10-question form that, upon completion, determines how more than $800 billion in federal funds will be distributed in communities across the nation, including over $7 billion per year in New Mexico. The funding supports roads, schools, healthcare, public safety and essential service programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and National School Lunch Program. Research suggests that every New Mexico citizen unaccounted for results in a loss of approximately $3,745 every year.
“We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many in the agriculture industry to focus their efforts elsewhere during these trying times,” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said. “However, completing the 2020 Census takes just 10 minutes of your time and can be done in the comfort of your own home. Remember that those 10 minutes will have an impact on the next 10 years. I encourage every farmer, every rancher, and everyone in the agriculture industry to stand proud, be counted, and complete a census form.”
For more information about the 2020 Census in New Mexico, visit https://www.icountnm.gov/home/. To respond to the census, visit https://2020census.gov/.
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