1. Objectives of the Workshop
Workshop on Emerging Technologies and Methods in Earth Observation
for Agricultural Monitoring
February 13-14, 2018
Chris Justice
NASA EOFSAC Science Lead
GEOGLAM Co-Chair
Dept. of Geographical Sciences, UMD

2. The workshop was developed based on a convergence of interest from various parties on aspects of agricultural monitoring using earth observations (and a sharing of meeting costs)

3. Workshop Objectives
To identify priority gaps and challenges for the operational user community
To share recent results from the research community relevant to operational agricultural monitoring using EO
To identify priority areas for operational R&D activities – towards a ‘community research agenda’
To identify applications approaching readiness levels suitable for transition to operational application
To discuss plans for future national and international collaboration towards strengthening agricultural monitoring
Identify promising new technologies and applications that would meet operational information needs

4. Background to the Meeting
The international GEOGLAM program is promoting the use of Earth Observations for operational agricultural monitoring.
Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) is a strong supporter of GEOGLAM; bilateral agreement with USDA to enhance collaboration on operational use of EO data
NASA Applied Sciences Program (ASP) has long supported PI partnerships with USDA to explore uptake of satellite Earth Observations
NASA Applied Sciences continues to support of GEOGLAM through its new EO Food Security and Agriculture Consortium (EOFSAC)
USDA is supportive of GEOGLAM and recognizes the need to explore pathways to transition new technologies to help their operations.
2017 USDA OSEC reinvigorated its Emerging Technology Teams (ETT) to examine emerging technologies
ETT’s involve representatives from FAS, NASS, ARS, ERS, NIFA, NRCS et al.

5. NASA’s Earth Observation for Food Security and Agriculture Consortium (EOFSAC)
EOFSAC is NASA ASP’s new Agriculture and Food Security Program
UMD Consortium proposal (P.I. Becker-Reshef) selected
EOFSAC launched December 2017 with both a national and international focus
A Food Security Office has been set up at NASA GSFC to help connect EOFSAC with partner agencies and other NASA programs
AAFC and USDA (NASS and FAS) are Consortium Partners
The proposal identified Emerging EO Technologies as an area of interest from USDA
Emerging EO technologies to be presented Tuesday and Wednesday

6. GEO’s Global Agricultural Monitoring Program (GEOGLAM)
EOFSAC includes a significant NASA contribution to GEOGLAM
EOFSAC UMD is leading the GEOGLAM Crop Monitors in partnership with the Agricultural Market information System (AMIS)
Contributors include USDA, AAFC, Mexico, Argentina, India, EC
AAFC (Jarvis) is running the GEOGLAM Secretariat
Support from Becker-Reshef and Whitcraft (EOFSAC UMD)
AAFC (Davidson ) and UCL (Defourny) are co-leading the GEOGLAM Joint Experiment on Crop Assessment and Monitoring (JECAM)
Test-Site based method development and intercomparison studies
USDA NIFA sponsored Workshop 2016 Ames Iowa initiate engagement of USDA LTARs in JECAM
JECAM cooperation is included as part of the USDA / AAFC bilateral work plan
JECAM Session on Thursday
Latino America GEOGLAM regional initiative led by Argentina involving Mexico (SIAP)
International attendees involved in GEOGLAM developing and utilizing emerging technologies
Defourny (UCL/ESA), Ray (Indian Ministry of Agriculture/ISRO), Copati (BAGC), Aguilar, Ruiz (SIAP)

7. North American Tripartite Committee on Agricultural Statistics
Committee to advance the development and publication of North American agriculture and agricultural related statistics
Annual meetings between statistical agencies from US (USDA NASS), Canada (Statistics Canada), Mexico (SIAP, INEGI).
Goals
Sharing knowledge, experience, and training in various statistical components including methodology, standards, systems, and technologies
Understanding each country's agricultural statistical system and constraints
Promoting the standardization of outputs
Promoting the adoption of common classification systems and standards
Sharing information technologies and use of information systems and analytical tools and processes
Closed door meeting Thursday

8. Approach for the Meeting
Sharing State of Science
Short (15 min) presentations on EO technologies for agricultural monitoring at various readiness levels
Discussion sessions – identifying priorities, opportunities and challenges
NASA ASP characterizes technologies by Applications Readiness Levels (1-9)
Basic ideas for an application (ARL 1)
Demonstration in relevant environment (ARL 6)
Approved, Operational Deployment, Sustained Use in Decision Making (ARL 9)

9. Summary Agenda Welcome Day 1. Tuesday, Feb.13th
8.45 – Session I. Introduction
Welcome
Agency overviews on current State of the Practice (10 mins )
10.30 – Coffee
Session 2. Crop Land and Area Mapping
12.15 – Discussion
12.30 – Lunch
Session 3. Crop Phenology and Crop Stage
2.15 – Session 4. Crop Yield and Production
3.30 – Discussion

10. Summary Agenda
Day 2. Wednesday, Feb 14th 8.45 – Session 5. New Data Inputs and Approaches Discussion – Coffee Session 6. Emerging Methods and Technologies – Discussion – 1.30 Lunch Session 7. Planned EO Missions 2.15 – 3.50 Session 8. Structured Discussion and Summary 3.50 – 4.00 Close of Meeting

11. Summary Agenda
Day 3. Thursday, Feb 15th 8.30– 9.40 US-Canada Collaboration on Earth Observation Monitoring: Research to Operations 9.40 – Coffee Overview of Research Sites for Earth Observation Work – 1.00 Lunch Cross Site Experiments 2.40 – 3.00 Coffee 3.00 – 3.40 Key Priorities for Research to Operations (Discussion) 3.40 – 4.00 Future Directions and Action Items

12. Speakers please keep to time Audience - Please save questions to the discussion sessions All attendees – please participate in the discussion