NASA's Curious Universe Earth Series: From Space to Your Plate
Apr 29, 2025
Brad Doorn, a NASA Program Manager for Agriculture, shares insights into how satellite technology is transforming farming practices. He reveals how the Landsat program collects vital data that helps farmers monitor crop health and optimize irrigation. The conversation touches on the collaboration between NASA and farmers to promote sustainability and address global food security challenges. Doorn highlights the innovative tools that leverage satellite data, ensuring that agriculture stays ahead in a changing environmental landscape.
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Brad Doorn's Career Path
- Brad Doorn grew up in rural South Dakota and saw farming challenges up close through his family.
- After the Army, he specialized in mapping Earth from space and joined USDA to apply satellite data in agriculture.
NASA's Unique Agricultural Data
- NASA offers unique, continuous global observations with high reliability unmatched by private sectors.
- Their satellites use cutting-edge tech originally developed for planetary missions, enhancing Earth data quality.
Farmers' Commitment to Sustainability
- Farmers are deeply concerned about sustainability and are key to implementing climate-smart agriculture.
- Negative media often overlooks farmers' proactive efforts and achievements in resource conservation and productivity.