Thank You, Brad Doorn: A Champion for Agricultural Earth Science
Brad Doorn speaks during NASA’s “Space for Ag” roadshow in Iowa, July 2023, highlighting NASA’s role in supporting sustainable farming practices.
It is with both gratitude and best wishes that we share the news of Brad Doorn’s departure from NASA. As the Program Manager for Agriculture within NASA’s Earth Science Division, Brad has been an extraordinary advocate for agricultural innovation and for using Earth observations to strengthen global food security.
Brad’s career at NASA has been shaped by his deep passion for putting satellite data to work in ways that truly matter on the ground. Growing up on a farm in South Dakota gave him a firsthand understanding of the challenges farmers face, and he carried that perspective into his mission to link cutting-edge science with real-world agricultural solutions. Throughout his time at NASA, Brad worked tirelessly to advance the use of Earth observations to help us grow, monitor, and protect the world’s food supply.
His leadership played a pivotal role in launching NASA Harvest. Brad worked closely alongside the consortium’s founders to turn what started as an ambitious idea into a vibrant community of researchers, practitioners, and organizations all working together to drive impact, build trust, and improve lives. His vision and steady guidance were key to making this possible.
While Brad will be leaving NASA this summer, he is far from slowing down. He will be bringing his expertise and dedication to a new role as a faculty member in the Department of Geography at Penn State University. We know the next generation of students will benefit greatly from his knowledge, passion, and heart.
As Brad begins this next chapter, we wish him nothing but success and fulfillment. Thank you, Brad, for everything.
A note from Brad
To all my colleagues and friends;
Just a short note to announce my departure from NASA as the agriculture program manager for Earth Action and express my gratitude for work completed so far.
This message isn’t sufficient to communicate my thanks to all of you who have supported and connected with me over the years, especially through the NASA Harvest community. I am thrilled by the impact that you have all made together. NASA Harvest was just an idea that partnerships and collaboration catalyze solutions, efficiency, and trust. I am so very proud of all you have accomplished.
I know those phenomenal scientists and organizations who led the use of Earth observations to support our world’s food supply decades ago would be proud. However, we also know there is a lot of work in front of us, as the challenges are keeping up with the capabilities. I look forward to seeing where the outstanding community that you have helped build leads to in the future.
I am departing NASA this summer, but not retiring yet. I will be teaching at Penn State University in the Department of Geography.
All my best,
Brad