MDA has stated that the 2014 survey is being distributed to all Maryland licensed businesses and public agencies, private applicators, and a subset of Maryland farmers who are not licensed or certified by MDA. Enhancements to the survey include time of year and target crop/site. NASS will collect data at the county level, but the reporting level (county, region, or state) will depend on response rate and distribution.
Researchers need comprehensive and sub watershed or smaller level data (see scientists' sign-on letters). They are concerned about the survey only going to a sample of uncertified/unlicensed farmers and the reporting level being at the county or even state level.