From Satellites to Soil: Bringing NASA Remote Sensing to West Texas Farms

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims welcomes Tony Vorster and Nick Young, researchers at Colorado State University’s Natural Resource Ecology Lab, to explore how NASA’s remote sensing technology can directly support farmers and ranchers. With years of experience in applied research and the NASA Develop Program, Tony and Nick explain remote sensing in everyday terms—how satellites measure landscapes, track vegetation, and provide insights on soil moisture, biomass, flood risks, and long-term land changes.

The conversation highlights the NASA Acres initiative, which partners with producers to make taxpayer-funded satellite data more accessible and practical. From mapping cover crops and forage availability to helping ranchers use tools like the Rangeland Analysis Platform, the discussion emphasizes the importance of farmer feedback in shaping tools that actually work on the ground. The episode also previews an upcoming project in West Texas to refine cover crop mapping using satellite imagery, with local farmers invited to contribute simple but vital data.

Accessible, collaborative, and farmer-led, this episode shows how space technology can become a down-to-earth ally for agriculture—helping producers adapt to changing landscapes, improve decision-making, and shape the future of conservation.

 

More about our guests: 

Tony Vorster and Nick Young - research associates at CSU Natural Resource Ecology Lab

Website

 

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include: 
• Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.
• Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips
• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit