The Department of Agriculture and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are teaming up to improve ag and earth science research and technology while also working to inspire young people to seek careers in STEM and agriculture.
A memorandum of understanding signed Wednesday is designed to strengthen collaboration between the two agencies and build on NASA’s Bridge Program, which works to “foster workforce development partnerships with higher-education partners.”
The partnership between USDA and NASA first started in 2015. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says Wednesday’s MOU is “an extension of the work that’s already ongoing” but that the agencies want to “beef it up.”
“We want to collaborate in a way that will advance the climate-smart agricultural agenda. … We think [NASA's] Earth Information Center can allow us to assist not just farmers, but rural communities to understand the consequences of a changing climate,” Vilsack said at Wednesday’s MOU signing.
The agencies are looking "to explore opportunities to improve crop performance to meet Earth and space-based goals."
"Space exploration cooperation with the USDA includes plant-related research on the International Space Station and other space and ground platforms that have led to new ways to improve American and global agriculture, protect the environment, and help improve human health," the agencies said in a news release.
“From the heavens to the Heartland, NASA and the Department of Agriculture are reaffirming our commitment to getting essential data in the hands of America’s farmers and preparing future generations to lead and strengthen America’s agriculture industry,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in the release. “As the climate continues to change, NASA's Earth observation data will only grow more critical to our nation's effort to create more climate-resilient food systems, helping our famers develop more sustainable farming and aquaculture practices.”
Also on Wednesday, USDA launched the NextGen program, which is investing $262.5 million to support “more than 20,000 future food and agricultural leaders” to foster the next generation of ag professionals, according to a press release.
“We need to ensure our youth have the education and training they need to accelerate the development of an agricultural system that is climate-smart, sustainable, profitable and equitable,” Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said Wednesday.
The program, which is focused on minority-serving institutions, is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. The department received more than 175 funding requests totallng more than $1.5 billion; in the end, 33 projects were funded.
Vilsack said a good way to get more young people into the agricultural workforce is by focusing on the people that matter to them.
“It's important for teachers to understand and appreciate the role they can play in helping to steer a young person into a great and meaningful career,” said Vilsack. “And what I like about this program in particular is they also understand the important role of families. And so, [the project recipients will] be working collaboratively with the families of these young people in order to create an opportunity for them to get to college, to graduate from college, and then to become an innovator.”
Each project accepted will receive funding for a period of five years. Institutions receiving support include 1994 Tribal Land-grant Institutions, Hispanic-serving Institutions, and 1890 Historically Black Land-grant Institutions.
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