NASA Acres Newsletter: April Recap

Hello there!

Welcome to our April Recap Newsletter! In this issue, we are bringing you the latest updates and insights from the NASA Acres Consortium.

April Spotlight

Curious about how satellites are helping farmers in the U.S. and beyond?

Check out the latest episode, "From Space to Your Plate," on NASA's Curious Universe Podcast. This episode features Dr. Bradley Doorn as he breaks down into how NASA’s long-standing Agriculture Program helps collect and deliver the satellite data farmers rely on to grow the crops that feed the world.

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Dr. Michael Humber receives prestigious Provost’s Excellence Award for Professional Track Faculty

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Michael Humber, recipient of the University of Maryland's prestigious Provost’s Excellence Award for Professional Track Faculty for 2025. Dr. Humber is recognized for his innovative work using satellite remote sensing to monitor agriculture and wildfires - research that not only advances science but also has delivered impact for communities around the globe. This marks the second consecutive year that NASA Acres leadership has earned this distinction, following Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft's recognition in 2024, underscoring the powerful impact and reach of their leadership in the field

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NASA Acres in the News

Researchers are using satellite imagery to help predict soybean quality before harvest

Given their wide range of uses and market importance, there is a growing interest in improving soybean management practices and better understanding seed quality traits. A team of researchers, led by Drs. Ignacio Ciampitti (Purdue University) and Carlos Hernandez (Kansas State) are advancing research that integrates in-field crop data with open-source satellite imagery to better understand factors that influence soybean quality and predict traits, such as protein and oil content, before harvest time. Their work on crop quality is being expanded on at NASA Acres as a pilot project within the Farm Innovation Ambassador Team (FIAT).

Read the article by NASA Acres

NASA Acres goes to the National 4-H Career Exploration Expo

Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to connect with hundreds of bright, curious 4-H’ers in Washington, D.C. We're excited to prepare the next generation of agriculture leaders to harness the power of Earth observations (EO) for a more sustainable, resilient, and productive food system. Ready to grow your own skills in EO for ag? Explore our database of free training resources linked below.

Training resources

NASA ARSET has rereleased its free, self-paced Fundamentals of Remote Sensing online course

In this self-paced course, you’ll learn the underlying science behind how remote sensing works and the basic functional characteristics of satellites and sensors. You will explore the kinds of satellite remote sensing data that are available, advantages and disadvantages of remote sensing, and some basic tools to visualize data. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to begin your journey using NASA’s no-cost, open-access remote sensing data and resources.

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Announcements

Call for submissions:

ERL Focus Issue on Climate-Resilient Agricultural Production

Environmental Research Letters (ERL) is inviting contributions to upcoming Focus Issue on Predictive Decision Support for Climate-Resilient Agricultural Production. This special collection will highlight research that takes cutting-edge climate predictions and turns them into practical tools for farmers.

Researchers are encouraged to submit studies that link advanced climate science with everyday farming practices, focusing on resilience and sustainability. Submissions can include research letters, perspectives, and topical reviews.

The submission deadline is flexible, with final contributions due by September 30, 2025.

Learn more & apply

Junior researcher/post-doc opportunity:

Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) at UIUC

The Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) at the University of Illinois is hiring for two junior researcher/post-doc positions.

1) Agricultural policy and data analytics

2) Ecosystem modeling (pastureland focused)

Both of these candidates will have the opportunity to work with Dr. Kaiyu Guan, Chief Scientist at NASA Acres.

Deadline: Ongoing

Learn more & apply

Research Internship:

NASA DEVELOP Fall Term (Sept 15 - Nov 21)

NASA DEVELOP is a paid 10-week research opportunity for early career and transitioning professionals interested in applying satellite data to real-world environmental and policy challenges. Participants work in interdisciplinary teams to conduct feasibility projects in partnership with community decision-makers, using NASA Earth observations to address pressing local and global issues. The program builds both technical and science communication skills while helping bridge the gap between NASA science and society.

Application Window: May 5 - Jun 13, 2025

Learn more & apply

Events

NOAA Satellite Applications Symposium Series: Workshop On Land and Agriculture

May 20 | 9am-3:30pm (Eastern)

Hybrid | Hybrid, Silver Spring, MD

Topics will include land cover/land use change, agricultural and forestry monitoring, fire detection, spread, and emissions, flooding, inundation and drought, crop condition, phenology and yield, as well as lightning, atmospheric sounding and composition, for agriculture, forestry and other terrestrial ecosystems. Pre-registration is requested.

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