# USDA and NASA Sign Data Modernization MOU

On October 24, 2026, Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman signed a memorandum of understanding to apply NASA Earth-observation data and technical capabilities to USDA agricultural statistics and data modernization. The collaboration identifies potential work in geospatial data engineering, cloud-enabled data access, crop and yield modeling, machine learning, and validation. It announces no funding, solicitation, or contract award, so it signals areas of possible future demand rather than an active procurement.

- Firms with capabilities in geospatial data engineering, cloud-enabled platforms, agricultural modeling, machine learning, or data validation can assess how their offerings align with the stated collaboration areas.
- The MOU itself is not a contract opportunity; companies should use USDA and NASA implementation plans and procurement notices as the basis for pursuing any resulting work.
- The collaboration may create demand for technical services or solutions supporting agricultural statistics and Earth-observation data use, but the signals provide no contract values, acquisition timelines, or solicitation details.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Environment
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 24, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

### Key Quotes
> With this unprecedented partnership the Trump Administration is committing to a bright future of research and tech opportunities that will enhance USDA acreage and yield estimation and drive profitability for American agriculture.
> — Brooke L. Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture

> By combining NASA’s Earth observation data and technical expertise with USDA’s knowledge of American agriculture, we can improve the information available to farmers and ranchers, strengthen our understanding of crop conditions and natural hazards, and pursue new high-risk, high-reward ideas that advance both science and American competitiveness.
> — Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

### Sources
- [Secretary Rollins and NASA Administrator Isaacman Sign MOU to Advance USDA Data Modernization Plan | USDA](https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/10/24/secretary-rollins-and-nasa-administrator-isaacman-sign-mou-advance-usda-data-modernization-plan) - USDA