Satellites and Soil Health This week’s LEAD Maryland workshop highlighted how AI and space technology are teaming up for agriculture. Farmers now use satellite maps to see which fields need more water or nutrients, reducing waste by up to 97%. Companies like John Deere are adding AI eyes to tractors, letting them plant seeds in exact spots while avoiding rocks.

Sensors and Smart Solutions Tiny AI sensors buried in soil measure moisture and fertilizer levels daily. These devices alert farmers if crops are thirsty or under attack by bugs, allowing precise treatment instead of spraying whole fields. Aurea Imaging’s tractor-mounted cameras scan orchards to count blooms and check fruit quality, helping growers sell better produce.

Five AI Farming Trends Syngenta CEO Jeff Rowe shared big ideas at the World Economic Forum. First, AI labs now design eco-friendly pesticides faster by testing millions of formulas digitally. Second, drones create 3D maps showing soil carbon levels, guiding farmers to enrich their land. Third, apps like digital agronomists advise on planting times and seed choices using local weather data.

Pest Control and Supply Chains AI is tackling pests smarter. Instead of covering entire fields with chemicals, sensors detect infected areas so farmers spray only where needed. In logistics, AI predicts how much wheat or corn will be needed each month, cutting food waste and ensuring trucks deliver harvests on time.

Animal Care and Future Tools Cows and chickens get healthier thanks to AI cameras watching for limps or odd behavior. Farmers receive alerts if animals seem sick, preventing outbreaks. New tools in testing include robot weeders that zap unwanted plants with lasers, saving time and keeping crops chemical-free.

From soil to supermarket, agentic AI is making farms greener and food fresher. As one expert put it, 'These tools help farmers work *with* nature, not against it'.