Samuel McClain

Background

About Samuel McClain

As a Research Analyst II for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, I am in a unique position. I work in the Eastern Mountain Region Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, which is a subsidiary of the USDA, as the lone state representative. I work alongside federal statisticians performing research and collecting agricultural data for Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia in a co-op between the state and federal government. We are the key source for agricultural data used by producers and industry professionals throughout the U.S. There are many facets to this position including detailed data analysis, survey implementation, public relations, and estimation. I have worked on surveys for both crops and livestock within the region. During my time in this position I have worked on the Census of Agriculture in 2007 and 2012. The Census of Agriculture provides the most detailed, comprehensive data on all farm commodities throughout the U.S. I have written many reports stating findings and conclusions from the research conducted. As a Research Analyst II I have been able to hone many skills and acquire new ones as well. I have learned valuable evaluative, analytical, and investigative principles that can be applied to many different tasks.