NASA and USDA forge new pact to boost Earth observation for American farms

NASA and the USDA formalized a Memorandum of Understanding during NASA’s Inspiration Tour at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, with Administrator Jared Isaacman and Secretary Brooke Rollins signing the pact. The deal broadens collaboration in satellite sensing, geospatial analytics, and cutting-edge data technologies to support USDA’s data-modernization agenda. Joint efforts will target better integration of Earth-observation data into agricultural applications, including remote-sensing science, modeling, and super-intelligence tools.

The agencies plan to explore new methods for handling large datasets, aiming to provide more timely and reliable information to growers, ranchers, and policy makers. Both sides highlighted the potential to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and profitability in agriculture through advanced research and technology.