Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 199'of the United States Congress - Chapter 82.
geo.arc.nasa.gov
Specializes in commercial applications of Remote Sensing and GIS (Geographic Information Systems), provides acquisition, processing and analysis of satellite and aerial imagery and consulting; located in Sonora, California.
www.biogeorecon.com
Data management, systems development, and research field center for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Mapping Division.
edcwww.cr.usgs.gov
Producer of a portable digital camera specifically tailored for multi-band photography in the visible red and near-infrared.
www.dycam.com
Complete white paper, provided by the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
www.fs.fed.us
Company for applied remote sensing, provides the complete range of technical services related to remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS), and associated disciplines, including agriculture and forestry; based in Munich, Germany.
www.gaf.de
Manufacturer of laser scanning/surveying devices. This company also sells related survey supplies. Products are sold to the agricultural and construction industries and to retailers.
www.meilaser.com
Develops, manufactures, distributes and supports software for geospatial data analysis.
www.microimages.com
Developer of farming field management software for analyzing and managing agrispatial data. Software runs on Windows NT, 95 and 98. Products are provided to the farming, mining and forestry industries, as well as to urban development and natur...
www.microimages.com
Designs, manufactures and markets the (ADAR™) Systems family of Digital Aerial Photography Systems and Services.
www.possys.com
Vertical portal which hosts, displays and sells high-resolution satellite imagery and aerial photography. Site maintained by Aerial Images.
www.terraserver.com
Remote sensing businesses have revolutionized modern geographic information. Remote sensing businesses provide a powerful tool, pairing digitized maps and geographic data with photographic imagery. Getting started with remote sensing and imagery for business requires a significant financial investment, but the return is increased profitability.
Work with statewide or county-level remote sensing businesses. Many suppliers of remote imagery software also have contacts with staff at appropriate government agencies and can expedite delivery on the most current information. Talk to several remote sensing companies before selecting your provider. Most businesses invest the time and money to train staff members to use remote sensing. Here are some benefits of remote imagery:
1. Gain a competitive advantage in business by using remote sensing and imagery to create a digital geo-referenced base map of resources.
2. Remote imagery is accurate down to the range of one to 10 yards, depending on the location and availability of digital coverage.
3. Acquire the most up-to-date digital imagery and remote sensing agricultural data by working directly with experts in the field of remote sensing and imagery for agriculture.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Contact government experts for remote sensing and imagery
Each year, federal, state and local governments invest billions of dollars on remote sensing information. Remote sensing companies have worked with natural resource developers to become a huge industry. Government agencies have responded to these technological innovations by gathering remote sensing and digital imagery and geological data. These agencies provide information about remote sensing, and also monitor and regulate businesses involved in remote sensing.
I recommend: Use the free information available from GeoCommunity, which has national, statewide and county level remote sensing data. Or, check out the map offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts to find your nearest conservation district office. They're located throughout the United States, and are one of the best sources for local remote sensing and imagery for agriculture.
Use remote sensing information to make a digital base map of your property
A digital base map is essential in remote sensing. A base map provides business owners and operators with a 3D representation of land characteristics, which can then be used in such applications as precision farming, transportation and natural resources to guide in the field business practices.
I recommend: Employ a geographic information system (GIS) specialist from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) to create a base map of your properties with remote imagery. ERDAS can offer an enterprise-wide solution to all your company's GIS and remote sensing and imagery needs.
Buy remote sensing information
Buying remote sensing information is a practical way to get a general understanding of existing conditions in a specific area. You can get imagery for a quick overview with relative ease. This is the only way to obtain most remote sensing information once you've established GIS and remote sensing as an integral element of your business.
I recommend: Buy directly from the United States Geological Survey's Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS). The TerraServer calls itself the leader in online imagery and has gigabytes of remote sensing and imagery for agriculture.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Only work with a certified remote sensing business when buying remote sensing equipment. Do some background research on the availability of information in your area before you develop a digital base map.
