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Tree of Tables (ToTs): A Maximally Interoperable Model for Agricultural Data

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2026 ASABE Annual International Meeting  2600239.(doi:10.13031/aim.202600239)
Authors:   Aaron C Ault, Yaguang Zhang, James V. Krogmeier, Dennis R. Buckmaster
Keywords:   Interoperability, Agricultural Data, Spreadsheet Schemas.

Abstract. Contemporary agriculture grapples with significant challenges in harnessing the full potential of data, primarily due to persistent interoperability issues. Using a previously-defined heuristic function with which to gauge interoperability, we propose here a particular Maximally Interoperable Model (MIM) as a strategic solution to enhance accessibility and usability across stakeholders, platforms, and time, focused on agriculture.  Drawing insights from best practices in data modeling and historical interoperability lessons, we call this proposed MIM a "Tree of Tables" (ToTs) architecture. ToTs features a standardized folder hierarchy housing table-centric files, stored as a single zip file or expanded in a filesystem. The leaves comprise machine-readable and user-friendly spreadsheets, while branches categorize and index these tables.  ToTs is designed to generate readily usable and shareable data, catering to both lay individuals and professionals in advanced fields. ToTs facilitates seamless data transfer across platforms, ranging from computer file systems and generic cloud-based storage to agriculture-specific frameworks. ToTs ensures sustained interoperability over decades given the multi-year time scales in agricultural decision-making.

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