Interest in NASA and America’s return to the Moon has surged again following the Artemis missions and the growing focus on deep space exploration. But while much of the public attention is focused on rockets and astronauts, NASA says some of its most important work is helping farmers right here on Earth.
During Washington Watch 2026, the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network spoke with NASA Director of Earth Science Karen St. Germain about how satellites, crop modeling, and advanced monitoring systems are supporting agriculture both in Iowa and around the world.
St. Germain said NASA has spent decades collecting data from space that helps producers better understand growing conditions and overall crop health.
NASA’s satellite systems go well beyond simply taking pictures of crops from orbit. St. Germain said the agency monitors everything from vegetation health to soil moisture and aquifer levels to give agriculture a more complete picture of field conditions.
“We’re trying to look at the whole system that affects the growing season,” St. Germain said.
NASA also works closely with agricultural forecasting and reporting systems, including the U.S. Drought Monitor and the USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, commonly known as WASDE.
St. Germain said one of NASA’s biggest goals is helping producers prepare for changing conditions before problems develop.
Beyond current conditions, NASA is also using advanced modeling systems to help producers look ahead and evaluate future scenarios. One example is a project underway in Iowa called VAIL, or the Virtual Agriculture Innovation Laboratory.
The program creates a virtual model of a specific farm or piece of land and allows producers to test different management strategies under varying weather conditions.
St. Germain said the goal is to help farmers maximize both the quality and quantity of crop yields while adapting to changing environmental conditions.
NASA’s Earth Science division continues expanding its work with agriculture through satellite monitoring, forecasting tools, and advanced crop modeling systems designed to improve decision-making both in the United States and around the globe.
