Modern technology plays an important role in the operation of farms across the United States. In particular, precision-agriculture is one method of agronomic production that often includes the use of sensors, satellite imagery, and local weather software to help farmers identify, monitor, and address major issues on farms - which thus results in healthier food for consumers.
For instance, digital sensors now provide quick feedback on soil and weather conditions. Also, the Global Positioning System (GPS) has led to innovation of remote-programmed tractors & other improvements to mechanization, and recreational satellite-drones are providing farmers with a unique aerial perspective tending to their land - measuring chlorophyll concentrations, ground temperatures, as well as atmospheric conditions. One recent report claims that precise agriculture can potentially “reduce the application of pesticides by up to 80%, shrink water usage by between 20 percent and 50 percent, and burn 50 percent less fuel (with the same yield) (Behar, 2019).
There is evidence to suggest that agriculture (small-, medium-, and large-acreage farms) can be mutually beneficial to ecosystems, because many of these innovative agricultural technologies are enabling farmers to simultaneously regenerate soil health while developing profitable and sustainable business models. There are many 501(c)-3 and similar organizations, environmental consultancies, and small businesses already implementing these technologies within the professional domain.
Plant is a San Francisco based company with software engineers and researchers that have created the world’s largest constellation of Earth-imaging satellites (called CubeSats) which use GPS to convey the health status of various crops to farmers from all across the world. Additional technological companies including Climate Corporation, aWhere, and Aeris each provide farmers with hyper-localized forecast systems mentioned above, which relay live imminent weather information pertinent to the monitoring of both planting and harvesting conditions. It is likely that farmers in the United States and other regions of the world will continue to invest in precise technologies, due to the positive results in production economically.
Precision-agricultural technologies must be designed with the intention to serve the most obvious needs of all people while upholding the values of traditional and indigenous knowledge (in regards to labor practice specifically) in order to be highly effective. A critic may debate that the influence of precision technology on some farming operations has replaced much of the work that was once occupied by the farmer … However, the innovations of precision agriculture offer all farmers with an opportunity to become more effective when the technology is applied aptly, emitting a sustainable, environmental footprint.
Tools and technologies have been equipping farmers with valuable resources for some time, which acts as a positive foresight toward newly sustainable agriculture.