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AGRICOLA

nal.usda.gov

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Spec score 7.9 #14 of 35 in Academic Research Databases

What it is

AGRICOLA is the National Agricultural Library’s web catalog for agricultural and allied disciplines. It contains over 5 million records, from current literature to printed works dating back to the 15th century. The catalog includes journal articles, bibliographies, monographs, symposia, meeting abstracts, conference proceedings, and theses and dissertations. Selected peer-reviewed journal articles are indexed for discovery. Indexed journal articles and conference proceedings have named personal authors and English titles and abstracts; journal selection follows the library’s collection policy and metadata requirements. Users can search the AGRICOLA dataset through USDA NAL SEARCH by choosing AGRICOLA from its dataset menu or opening the subset directly. The catalog is free to access, with advanced search across multidisciplinary subjects. It does not provide full text, so access to a particular article may depend on linked sources. NAL offers an online question form and weekday chat from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

Spec sheet

Purpose
AGRICOLA is the National Agricultural Library catalog for agricultural and allied disciplines.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Support
Publishers can contact [email protected] with questions and to coordinate metadata file exchange.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Headquarters
Beltsville, Maryland, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Accepted file formats
NAL accepts metadata as XML files or archives in formats including zip, gzip, tar, and Bagit, and does not accept Word, PDF, or RAR files.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Collection size
The catalog contains over 5 million records, including current literature and printed works dating as far back as the 15th century.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Coverage
Its subject coverage includes all aspects of agriculture and allied disciplines, while the catalog spans works dating back to the 15th century.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Discovery
NAL indexes selected peer-reviewed journal articles and makes them available for discovery.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
File transfer
After sample metadata is accepted, publishers coordinate file exchange with NAL using a method such as SFTP, FTP, or HTTP; NAL also accepts publisher transfers to its SFTP-only service.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Indexed content
AGRICOLA covers peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings with named personal authors and English titles and abstracts across agriculture and allied disciplines.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Journal selection
Journals are reviewed under NAL's collection development policy and for compliance with its metadata requirements.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Publisher metadata
Publishers may submit metadata in MODS, JATS, or NLM DTD, and NAL says MODS is preferred for faster processing.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Search access
Users can search the AGRICOLA dataset through USDA NAL SEARCH by selecting AGRICOLA from the dataset dropdown or opening its subset directly.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Search support
NAL offers an online question form and chat during weekday hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov
Submission requirements
Indexed records require metadata such as an English article title and abstract, author information, journal title, publisher, identifiers when available, and publication date.Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov

Plans and prices

AGRICOLA Free Public access to the AGRICOLA catalog; individual article full text may depend on linked sources Read 2 Oct 2026 · nal.usda.gov

Every AGRICOLA plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free public catalog access
  • Contains over 5 million records
  • Includes advanced search
  • Covers works dating to the 15th century

Limits

  • Does not provide full text
  • Individual article access may depend on linked sources
  • Search chat excludes federal holidays

Who it suits

AGRICOLA suits readers looking for agricultural and allied-discipline literature, including articles, proceedings, and theses. It is for discovery rather than full-text reading.

Verdict

AGRICOLA offers a broad, free catalog for finding agricultural literature across many content types and historical periods. Readers should expect to follow linked sources for article full text.

Where Specifiction places it

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