Improvements in farm data reporting starting in Maryland, North Dakota

It’s 2026 and farmers still write planting information on a paper map, later translated into a spreadsheet for access to federal programs. But starting Wednesday, North Dakota and Maryland will be the first two states to use a new system that scans maps automatically.

By: Jeff Beach

Outlets: Maryland Matters

Published: June 2, 2026

Words: 766

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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It’s 2026 and farmers are still writing on a paper map to provide their planting information — what crops were planted in which fields and other details.

Typically, someone in a county Farm Service Agency office translates that map into a spreadsheet. The data is key for farmers to be able to participate in federal programs, such as subsidized crop insurance or federal assistance payments that were issued this year.

But the system is changing. …

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