Workshop explores AI and satellite tools for farm resilience

Digital Tools Boost Climate Smart Farming

A recent LEAD Maryland Workshop showcased how artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite data support agricultural resilience and climate monitoring.  

Farmers have access to advanced earth observation tools, but many are unaware of them. Tools like NASA’s GLAM and the AGMET dashboard help visualize weather, soil, and crop data. CRN has also developed regional dashboards like the Maryland Agriculture Climate Impact Dashboard and the DAWN system to support farmers with seasonal planning and climate impact tracking. 

Speakers emphasized that these tools rely heavily on collaboration with farmers. Building trust and maintaining transparency about data use are essential to creating meaningful partnerships. When farmers understand how the tools can improve productivity and sustainability, they are more likely to engage. 

The event was organized by the LEAD Maryland Foundation and hosted by the University of Maryland Extension, the event featured the Climate Resilience Network (CRN), NASA Acres, and NASA Harvest teams. 

AI and machine learning enhance systems by analyzing large satellite datasets quickly and accurately. These insights support crop type mapping, yield forecasts, and risk assessments. Researchers from the University of Maryland and Arizona State University are applying AI to improve early-warning systems and guide timely responses to crop threats. 

Reliable agricultural data is critical to preventing crises. For example, poor data in the 1970s led to a major U.S. grain loss, known as the Great Grain Robbery. Accurate monitoring now helps governments and farmers plan ahead and avoid similar disasters. 

This work is a team effort, combining expertise from fields like meteorology, hydrology, and computer science, alongside the real-world knowledge of farmers. Together, they are shaping a more resilient and informed future for agriculture. 

Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic