Illinois Corn Farmer Featured on NASA Website

July 28, 2021
A nasa logo with a picture of a man in a field

 NASA, the US government agency responsible for science and technology related to air and space, recognized corn farmers today on their website for implementing practices that can improve soil health and make food production more climate friendly and resilient.

 

Paul Jeschke, a corn farmer from Mazon, IL and an IL Corn leader, talked to NASA about the changes he’s making on his own farm, including planting cover crops to rebuild the soil.

 

“This is a radically different farming system, and it takes an adventurous mindset to risk growing a crop in such a manner,” Jeschke said in the article.


NASA is using their satellites to study the Corn Belt and provide important views of the region’s soil. They are pinpointing soil loss over time and helping farmers understand how to adopt and manage conservation techniques to benefit the soil.

 Checkout this video that shows how data from NASA satellites is used to map crops and predict yields for every crop grown in the U.S.

 

And then check out the Illinois farm feature on NASA and feel proud of the contributions and efforts of Illinois farmers that make growing corn an opportunity to solve some of our world’s toughest issues.

Mexican CANAMI (National Chamber of Industrialized Corn) members at Illinois farm
By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026
IL Corn & USGBC hosted Mexican masa millers on southern Illinois farms and river terminals, strengthening ties with our top corn customer.
holding a cover crop
By IDOA & Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026
Pre-enrollment opens Nov. 30 for IDOA’s Fall Covers for Spring Savings program, worth up to $5/acre off 2027 crop insurance premiums.
Josh Linville and Collin Watters
By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026
What’s really driving your fertilizer bill? StoneX’s Josh Linville breaks down global supply, competition, and the long-term fix on IL Corn TV.
thumbnail of Megan and Jared
By Tara Desmond, Megan Dwyer and Brownfield Ag • October 15, 2026
Illinois Corn and U of I built lease addenda to help farmers and landowners build cover crops, soil health and nutrient goals into rental agreements.
headshot of Jenny Webb IFCA president
By Tara Desmond • October 15, 2026
Jenny Webb has spent her career in Illinois agriculture. Now she’s about three months into a new job as president of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA), the group that represents the ag retailers, applicators and suppliers who get fertilizer and crop protection products to your farm when you need them. Webb came to IFCA from Illinois Farm Bureau. She’s new to the fertilizer and chemical side of the business, but not to farmers or to the policy and regulatory issues that affect them. IL Corn sat down with her to talk about what she’s learned so far, the issues facing Illinois ag retailers, and why the work happening behind the scenes deserves more credit than it gets.
Andrew Jolly
By Lyndi Allen • October 15, 2026
A sixth-generation farmer from Chenoa, IL, Andrew Jolly is carrying on his family’s farming legacy while learning how to make his voice heard in agricultural policy as a 2026 GROW participant.
Show More