Space and Farming to Be Lecture Topic

The use of new space research to solve practical problems in farming will be discussed at a lecture, “Agriculture Links Up With Space,” today at Ventura College.

The multimedia presentation by Robert Smith, who has worked for NASA worldwide, will focus on remote-sensing satellite imagery to enhance agricultural activity and other space-related technological advances.

“A lot of people don’t even realize that farmers are now using satellite imagery to tell them how to more effectively farm their land,” said Rose Hayden-Smith, advisor with the UC Cooperative Extension, sponsor of the presentation.

“A satellite zipping over can take photos of a piece of farmland and then zero in on a small piece and identify whether irrigation is adequate or if certain nutrients are missing,” Hayden-Smith said.

Smith also will examine the future of America’s space program, including the Mir Project, a space program between the U.S. and Russia, and the Cassini Project, which will send a satellite probe to Saturn. Lecture participants will have an opportunity to sign a document that will be sent into space with the satellite.

Smith originally scheduled his visit to Ventura County to speak Wednesday at the superintendent of schools county science fair, “Cultivate your Future.”

Through a grant from the Hansen Trust Fund, the UC Cooperative Extension is able to have Smith speak at Ventura College at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Room UV-2. The event is free and open to all ages.