The survey data include a panel collected in four waves including a stratified random sample divided between 196 households surveyed in 1996, 196 surveyed in 2000, 406 surveyed in 2005, and 646 households surveyed in 2009. The sampling methodology and survey design were consistent between each of the waves. The sample size was expanded in 2005 for two reasons: 1) to include new settlements that had been established in the study region (on previous forest reserves or large ranches that were expropriated) and 2) to maintain a representative sample population.

The survey data provide (i) full information on farm production outputs and purchased inputs, (ii) hectares reported in different land uses, including forest, pasture, annual crops, and agroforestry and perennial crops, (iii) measures of wealth, including consumer durables, equipment, livestock, vehicles and reported value of parcels, and (d) a standard set of socio-economic characteristics. Data indicate that the rural population of small farm families has remained fairly stable over this study period (1996-2009), exhibiting a relatively low 5% annual attrition rate.