United States Department of Agriculture

Dan Lofthus, Minnesota State Statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), collects, promotes and disseminates agricultural statistics critical to the success of Minnesota farmers, ranchers and agribusiness. As a farm kid chasing cows, planting sunflowers or combining spring wheat in east central North Dakota, I always knew that working in agriculture was the goal. An Agricultural Economics degree from North Dakota State University opened the door to a job as a survey and commodity statistician with NASS. Stops at NASS office locations in North Dakota, Kentucky, Washington D.C. and now Minnesota have added up to a rewarding career involving agriculture that continues to be challenging and rewarding. The NASS statistical program mirrors the diversity in Minnesota agriculture. That crop and livestock diversity keeps me on the road visiting farmers, speaking at industry trade shows and working with community and agricultural development organizations to provide the data they need.