Source of data (CENSUS or SURVEY). Census program includes the Census of Ag as well as follow up projects. Survey program includes national, state, and county surveys.
Narrows by: year
Five high level, broad categories useful to narrow down choices (Crops, Animals & Products, Economics, Demographics, and Environmental).
Narrows by: year, source_desc
Subsets within sector (e.g., under sector = Crops, the groups are Field Crops, Fruit & Tree Nuts, Horticulture, and Vegetables).
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc
The primary subject of interest (e.g., CORN, CATTLE, LABOR, TRACTORS, OPERATORS).
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc
Generally a physical attribute (e.g., variety, size, color, gender) of the commodity.
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc, commodity_desc
A method of production or action taken on the commodity (e.g., IRRIGATED, ORGANIC, ON FEED).
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc, commodity_desc, class_desc
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc, commodity_desc, class_desc
The aspect of a commodity being measured, paired with its unit (e.g., AREA HARVESTED in ACRES, PRICE RECEIVED in $ / BU).
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc, commodity_desc, class_desc, prodn_practice_desc, util_practice_desc
An additional dimension along which the metric is sliced — e.g. ECONOMIC CLASS, AGE, NAICS CLASSIFICATION, FARM SALES. Pick TOTAL (the default in the data) for an unsliced view.
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc, commodity_desc
The specific bucket within the chosen domain (e.g. for domain ECONOMIC CLASS, the category is the income bracket).
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc, commodity_desc, domain_desc
Aggregation level or geographic granularity of the data (e.g., State, Ag District, County, Region, Zip Code).
Narrows by: year
Inclusive year range. NASS data goes back to 1850 — use this instead of picking individual years.
How often NASS publishes this metric (ANNUAL, MONTHLY, WEEKLY, POINT IN TIME). Most metrics are ANNUAL — set this only if you need sub-annual data.
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc, commodity_desc, statisticcat_desc
The within-year window the metric covers (YEAR, MARKETING YEAR, individual months, or named forecasts like "AUG FORECAST"). Use with Frequency.
Narrows by: year, source_desc, sector_desc, group_desc, commodity_desc, statisticcat_desc, freq_desc