By Jamie Martin
NASA agriculture programs recently participated in the National 4‑H Conference Youth Career Fair in Washington, D.C., where students from across the country gathered to learn about leadership, service, and career pathways. This was NASA’s second year attending the event and the first year for NASA Harvest.
During the event, many students expressed surprise that NASA works in agriculture. Representatives explained how satellite data supports farming by monitoring crop health, identifying drought conditions, and improving yield forecasts. Students were especially interested in learning that this data is free and widely used across agricultural systems.
A hands‑on demonstration helped students understand remote sensing technology. NASA showed how plants reflect light at different wavelengths, helping scientists observe crop conditions both on the ground and from space. This activity explained how satellites help track crop growth and recovery after natural disasters.
“Students at 4-H are already thinking about agriculture, service, and their communities,” said Cordelia Hiers Brady, Agriculture Program Coordinator at NASA’s Earth Science Division. “Being here gives us a chance to show that NASA Earth Science is connected to those interests and that there are many ways to contribute to this work.”
Students also asked detailed questions about working at NASA. In addition to learning about scientific and engineering careers, students explore opportunities in outreach, communications, and project coordination. These roles help connect NASA research with the people and communities it serves.
Through NASA Harvest, NASA Acres, and additional outreach efforts such as the Space4Ag tour, NASA continues to build connections with farmers, students, and agricultural organizations. These efforts ensure that Earth observation tools are practical and beneficial in real‑world farming systems.
By attending the 4‑H career fair, NASA helped students better understand the role of science in agriculture and encouraged future leaders to explore careers that support food and farming systems.
Photo Credit: NASA-harvest
Categories: National