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Catalog datasets represent a fraction of data in use by active WMA projects. The team is working on including more datasets to provide a complete view of data-in-use. Let us know how your experience is!

Datasets

Cropland Data Layer (CDL)

Domain: Land Cover

Variables: Cropland designation

Spatial Resolution: 30 meter

Temporal Frequency: annual

Temporal Coverage: 2008 - 2022

Spatial Extent: CONUS

Source: NASS

Update Type: Dynamic

Update Frequency: annual

Update Detail: append

Access:

Description:

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Cropland Data Layer (CDL) is an annual raster, geo-referenced, crop-specific land cover data layer produced using satellite imagery and extensive agricultural ground reference data. The program began in 1997 with limited coverage and in 2008 forward expanded coverage to the entire Continental United States. Please note that no farmer reported data are derivable from the Cropland Data Layer.
The Cropland Data Layer (CDL) has a spatial resolution of 30 meters and was produced using satellite imagery collected throughout the growing season. Some CDL states used additional ancillary inputs to supplement and improve the land cover classification including historical CDL data, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Elevation Dataset (NED), USDA National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (NCCPI), and the most current versions of the USGS National Land Cover Database imperviousness and the tree canopy data layers. Agricultural training and validation data are derived from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Common Land Unit (CLU) Program. Some CDL states incorporate additional crop-specific ground reference obtained from the following non-FSA sources which are detailed in the ‘Lineage’ Section of this metadata: US Bureau of Reclamation, NASS Citrus Data Layer (internal use only), California Department of Water Resources, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Water Policy, Cornell University grape/vineyard data, Oregon State University tree crop and vineyard data, Utah Department of Water Resources, and Washington State Department of Agriculture. The most current version of the NLCD is used as non-agricultural training and validation data. Please visit the CDL FAQs and metadata webpages at https://www.nass.usda.gov/Research_and_Science/Cropland/SARS1a.php to view a complete list of imagery, ancillary inputs, and ground reference used for a specific state and year.

Citation:

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Cropland Data Layer, [YEAR], Published crop-specific data layer: USDA-NASS, accessed [YYYY-MM-DD] at https://nassgeodata.gmu.edu/CropScape/