That's a nice little tidbit Ntrngr

It looks like that according to to title 7 chapter 55 if you do not respond they have the ability to fine you $100. Of course you have the ability to sue them in federal court. My suspicion is that they do not want to test their ability to enforce their regulation because unless you are using their services they might have some issues making it stick. I generally respond to these surveys (one of the stranger ones is they wanted to come out an measure tree growth on my farm a few years ago, I don't burn they do) and in general they use the information to modify their programs to better fit reality.

For the folks using the "I DO NOT WISH TO CONTRACT" tactic they are just ignoring you using the principal above. The "not wishing to contract" is based on the idiots who think the government is a corporation not the "true" US government.

USC TITLE 7 > CHAPTER 55 > § 2204g
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§ 2204g. Authority of Secretary of Agriculture to conduct census of agriculture
How Current is This?
(a) Census of agriculture required
(1) In general
In 1998 and every fifth year thereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall take a census of agriculture.

It appears they are off on their census date, if it is even required by any laws, it isn't due till 2013.
I'll do a little more looking.

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/About_the_Census/index.asp

The Census of Agriculture is the leading source of facts and figures about American agriculture. Conducted every five years, the Census provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the United States.

For the 2007 Census of Agriculture, forms will be mailed in late December 2007 and farmers and ranchers are asked to respond by mail or online by February 4, 2008. Participation by every farmer and rancher, regardless of the size or type of operation, is vitally important. By responding to the Census, producers are helping themselves, their communities and all of U.S. agriculture.

The 2007 Census of Agriculture will collect information concerning all areas of farming and ranching operations, including production expenses, market value of products, and operator characteristics. This information is used by everyone who provides services to farmers and rural communities - including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, and many others. Census data is used to make decisions about many things that directly impact farmers, including: community planning

store/company locations
availability of operational loans and other funding
location and staffing of service centers
farm programs and policies


Participation in the Census is required by law, and that same law protects the confidentiality of all individual responses.

The Census of Agriculture is your voice, your future and your responsibility!

I would ignore it, not even make claim to it's existance.
I can find no law making it necessary and as their site seems to imply it is voluntary, then they declare it is law.
The USC generally refers to Commerce, so if you are involved in a business, then maybe.
Remember do your research, you have to look out for yourself.
I might have missed something!

Looks to me like you're no slouch when it comes to research yourself there lumpy.