New Mexico Agriculture Secretary encourages those in agriculture industry to complete 2020 Census

New Mexico Agriculture Secretary encourages those in agriculture industry to complete 2020 Census

LAS CRUCES – Although door-to-door operations for the 2020 Census have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still a number of ways you can be accounted for as a New Mexico citizen in the comfort of your own home. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers, ranchers, and everyone within the agriculture industry to respond to the census online, over the phone or by mail.

Upon completion, the census determines how more than $800 billion in federal funds will be distributed in communities across the nation, including $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.

“Every community in the state of New Mexico will be impacted by the data collected in the 2020 Census,” New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said. “Ten minutes impacts the next 10 years. Let’s ensure that every New Mexican is counted. I encourage every farmer, every rancher, and everyone in the agricultural community to do their part in completing 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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