Watershed report released

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the Watersheds report, which provides data that supplements the 2022 Census of Agriculture, Volume 1.

Watersheds is the first of six Subject Series reports to be released for this Census of Agriculture. The Watersheds report breaks down select ag census data – including farms, land in farms, land use and practices, fertilizer and chemical use, and select commodities – by the 6-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (watershed) boundaries, providing data users yet another way to review and compare ag census information.

Most of Illinois lies withing the Upper Mississippi Watershed, or Water Resource Region 07. But a significant portion of eastern and southeastern Illinois lies within the Ohio Watershed, or Water Resource Region 05.

“While most NASS statistics are tabulated by state and county, there are also many people that want to see totals by watershed. This publication allows them to continue their research and analysis with updated statistics,” said NASS State Statistician Mark Schleusener. “The Census of Agriculture data set is dense enough that NASS staff can retabulate it to show many important facts for watersheds, US Congressional Districts, and even zip codes,” continued Schleusener.

The type of data provided in the Watersheds report can be used by researchers, community organizations, policymakers and producers themselves to help assess the impact or potential impact of agriculture on the environment and surrounding bodies of water. The data can help inform decisions about government programs and grants and policies affecting producers, communities, and the agriculture industry.

To access the Watersheds report, visit nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022.