By Deborah Willenborg
USA Rice
Since the launch of the first Landsat satellite in 1972, NASA has been mapping global agriculture to provide critical knowledge about the role U.S. agriculture plays in the global food system. Fifty years and eight Landsat craft later, the volume and value of data collected is staggering. Researchers, scientists, and stakeholders gathered here last week for the official kick-off of NASA Acres, the next project that aims to turn Earth observation (EO) technology into a critical tool for America’s farmers.