Overview
The 2011–2012 U.S. drought was the most severe and extensive in at least 25 years, and the effects are still being felt in some areas of the Nation. Recently, USDA partnered with local governments, colleges, and state and Federal partners— including NOAA and FEMA—to conduct a series of regional drought workshops. Hundreds of farmers, ranchers, business owners, and other stakeholders met with government officials to discuss needs and available programs. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off the first meeting in Nebraska, and additional meetings were held in Colorado, Arkansas, and Ohio.

Research and Societally Relevant Outcomes
As a direct outcome of this series of workshops, USDA and NOAA entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve sharing and coordination of drought-related data and expertise, monitoring networks, and forecasting efforts. The MOU is an effort to meet the needs identified by stakeholders at the workshops.

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The frequency and intensity of droughts in the U.S. is likely to increase as climate changes. Agriculture is the largest sector of the U.S. economy impacted by drought and heat waves, but many others can be affected, such as tourism, energy, transportation, and industries that rely on high water levels to ship products. Improved sharing of data and expertise between agencies will lead to more coordinated, accurate efforts in drought monitoring and forecasting. NOAA and DOE have also established an MOU to coordinate research involving future climate extremes.

The following link provides additional information:
blogs.usda. gov/2012/12/13/usda-national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-admin- istration-enter-into-agreement-to-improve-drought-weather- forecasting/