To infinity and beyond: The connection between farming and outer space

I was fortunate to be near a television earlier this month to watch in real time as the NASA astronauts who more than nine months ago flew to space aboard Boeing’s failed Starliner spacecraft landed in waters off the Florida coast on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

I watched as a pod of dolphins greeted the boats of NASA and SpaceX teams who were there to greet the crew of astronauts. It was glorious.

I am in awe of those who go through the rigorous and extensive training to prepare for space missions. Their training involves a diverse range of physical, mental, technical and practical skills to make sure they are ready for the challenging conditions of space travel.

It is a huge commitment. Training, which can take years, is intense. They need to be prepared for every conceivable — or unconceivable — scenario.

Farmers and astronauts might seem like they have vastly different jobs, but they share a lot of common traits and skills.

Farmers are analytical people. Like astronauts, they need to be resourceful and adaptable. Farmers must deal with unpredictable weather, pests and crop conditions, while astronauts must manage technical failures or unexpected situations in space.

Both farmers and astronauts rely on science and technology. Astronauts use advanced science for space exploration and survival in space. Science plays a huge role in agriculture, helping to improve efficiency, sustainability and productivity.

Both farmers and astronauts must work with nature to get along and be successful. Farmers work directly with the environment, adapting to changing weather patterns and soil conditions, while astronauts must work in the extreme conditions of space and understand the principles of gravity, radiation and life support systems.

Whether it is determining fertilizer application rates and timing or calculating fuel and oxygen usage in space, both require careful planning and great attention to detail. Both professions require teamwork and trust in those upon whom you must rely.

Farming and “astronauting” — that is a word I just made up — require a whole lot of physical and mental toughness.

Farmers often face long, solitary hours in challenging conditions. Astronauts endure the physical challenges of space travel and the isolation that comes with it.

“Once a farmer, always a farmer” reflects the deep connection and enduring mindset that many people have with farming, even after they stop farming.

It suggests that the values, skills and lifestyle of farming become ingrained in a person and that the heart of farming — whether it is an understanding of the land, the rhythms of nature, or the work ethic — sticks with them for life.

“Once an astronaut, always an astronaut” carries a similar sentiment in that the experience of being an astronaut becomes a defining part of someone’s identity.

The intense training, extraordinary experiences and unique challenges faced in space leave a lasting impact on astronauts.

Even if they retire or transition into other roles, the bond to space exploration, the skills they have acquired and the perspective they have gained often remain the heart of who they are.

Some experiences are so transformative and rare that they shape a person’s identity in ways that last a lifetime.