Sorensen Introduces Resolution Recognizing the Relationship Between NASA and USDA

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) along with the Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing the symbiotic relationship between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  

“Farmers across Central and Northwestern Illinois rely on NASA to provide them with accurate and reliable data to decide when to plant certain crops, measure groundwater levels, determine soil health, and so much more,” said Sorensen. “Without NASA, our farmers would not be able to produce the best crops that sustains our neighbors and keeps our economy going. As we continue to work in a bipartisan way to promote interagency collaboration between NASA and USDA, it is important the House come together to recognize this existing relationship that benefits all Americans.” 

“Both NASA and USDA have long understood the importance of their collaboration to improve research, education, and development,” said Chairman Lucas. “Past partnerships between the two agencies have gone to great lengths to advance their missions and tackle some of the greatest issues facing our planet. With this resolution, we reaffirm our commitment to continue such productive cooperation and look forward to the results it will produce for mankind.” 

Currently, NASA and USDA are working together to develop new ways to improve American and global agriculture, safeguard the biosphere, and prepare future generations to lead and strengthen America’s agriculture industry. Together, they advance cutting edge innovation, research, and workforce development to tackle some of Earth’s greatest challenges including food and resource security, identifying trends in land use, and the deployment of intelligent systems that incorporate Earth observation data. 

Examples of their interagency work include:    

• The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and NASA created a free online tool called Crop-CASMA to help farmers and researchers use soil data to track droughts and floods, plan crop planting and forecast agriculture yields.  
• The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and NASA scientists are developing a hyperspectral imaging system to monitor plant health for astronauts to use in plant growth chambers for their pick-and-eat crops — such as fresh salad greens — to eat during future space missions. 
• USDA, ARS, and NASA are collaborating to discover other ways to grow sustainable, fresh food during space travel, such as plants that have the potential to continually flower and produce. 

Read the full text of the resolution here.  

Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. 

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