The following is the tentative program for the 2025 Spray Drone End User Conference.

General Sessions

Chair: Steve Li, Extension Specialist, Auburn University

The general sessions will cover the latest regulatory updates. This will include speakers from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CropLife America, the global spray drone task force, National Agricultural Aviation Association, and state departments of agriculture. Other topics will include west North Carolina disaster relief following Hurricane Helene, an overview of the Brazilian drone spraying market, etc.

Breakout Sessions

Session 1—Complete Field Solutions for Drone Work

Chair and Cochair: Rick Jordan, Operations Manager, CNY Drone Services; Bryan Hammis, Owner/Pilot In Command, Flying Acres, LLC

This session covers essential field setups and auxiliary tools that enhance drone operations, from trailers and utility terrain vehicles (UTV) to pumps and generators. Attendees will learn practical strategies for optimizing mobility, performance, and efficiency in diverse field environments.

Session 2—Spray Drone Research

Chair and Cochair: Steve Li, Extension Specialist, Auburn University; Keaton Lyons, Owner, Lyons Sight Ag Solutions

In this research session, the latest research and field studies will be discussed regarding spray swath, spreading swath, uniformity, crop-canopy deposition, and penetration will be discussed.

Session 3—Launching a Drone Spraying Business

Chair and Cochair: Keaton Lyons, Owner, Lyons Sight Ag Solutions; Kurt Beckley, Owner, Altitude Agri Services

This session will cover navigating regulations and licensing requirements (107,  FAA exemptions, 137, and local regulations), choosing the right drone and equipment, and  targeting your market and clients (social media, coops, and advertising). Cost estimations and budgeting, sourcing funding, marketing, and price strategy will also be discussed.

Session 4—FAA Regulatory Requirements

Chair and Cochair: Joel Jones, Owner, Drone Crop Services; Jackson McKenzie, Drone Pilot, Aurora Co-op

In this session, you will hear directly from the FAA on observance of exemption conditions and limitations, ATO mandated reporting, and changes coming with updated regulations.

Session 5—Spray Drone Research

Chair and Cochair: Steve Li, Extension Specialist, Auburn University; Keaton Lyons, Owner, Lyons Sight Ag Solutions

This research session will cover pesticide efficacy, DRA and adjuvants, spray-drift management, and how spray operators can conduct spray quality evaluation themselves. In addition, several national and internationally renowned researchers will form a panel to discuss future research needs and answer questions from the audience.

Session 6—Essential Software Solutions for Drone Operations

Chair and Cochair: Rick Jordan, Operations Manager, CNY Drone Services; Bryan Hammis, Owner/Pilot In Command, Flying Acres, LLC

This session introduces key software tools designed to streamline and enhance drone operations, covering mission planning, compliance, and crop-health analytics. Attendees will explore a range of solutions to improve efficiency, data management, and decision-making in the field.

Session 7—Navigating Turbulence: Spray Drones in America Amid Government Headwinds

Chair and Cochair: Jeff Clack, Drone Manager, Bestway Ag; Eric Ringer, Vice President of Strategy and Partnership, Rantizo

In this session, presenters will provide an update on the current state of DJI’s challenges with US customs and the various efforts to ban Chinese-made drones and components. Drone operators and manufacturers will also separate fact from fiction regarding country-of-origin bans. Most importantly, presenters will talk about how these issues impact end users, how end users can make their voices heard, and how a future can be built where American agriculture leads the world in technological innovation, economic prosperity, and sustainable practices.

Session 8—Drone Basics: Essential Skills for Safe and Effective Operations

Chair and Cochair: Rick Jordan, Operations Manager, CNY Drone Services; Keaton Lyons, Owner, Lyons Sight Ag Solutions

This session provides foundational knowledge for drone operators, covering both mechanical aspects and software essentials for effective field operations. Attendees will learn about preflight checks, field layout, and data interpretation, with a concluding expert panel to answer questions and provide real-world insights.

Session 9—Drone + Seed

Chair and Cochair: Nathan Parmentier, President, Airgro; Aaron Duval, COO, AcuSpray

In this session, presenters will dive into everything seed with drones. This will include how to educate your customers on funding, daily operations and tendering, and things to look for when using your drone on seed jobs. Followed by this will be an opportunity to hear from a panel of experts who will expose you to real-life applications and answer audience questions.

Session 10—Pesticide Regulation and Compliance

Chair and Cochair: Sarah Hovinga, Regulatory Policy Analyst, Bayer Crop Science; Briana Layfield, President, Ag-Bee LLC

This session will focus on best practices and challenges in drone pesticide application. It will cover the regulatory framework and emerging guidance for applicators and will feature insights from experienced drone operators on handling, record-keeping, and regulatory requirements.

Session 11—Pasture, Forage, and Rangeland Management

Chair and Cochair: Preston Cave, Owner, PAC Aerial Applications; Kurt Bohrer, Owner, Ag Drone Service

From the steep mountains of western North Carolina and the swamps of Florida to the wide-open ranges of Texas and the sagebrush of Wyoming, this session will cover how to handle rugged terrain, as well as how to stretch your spraying season, how you need to adjust your swath and GPA, and the chemistry used for pasture and forage crops. Finally, presenter will cover how to incorporate different practices with IVM and seeding for both types of applications.

Session 12—Golf Course and Turf Management

Chair and Cochair: Aaron Duval, COO, AcuSpray; Jackson McKenzie, Drone Pilot, Aurora Co-op

This session will discuss the barriers to entry in the turf sector, pros and cons of drones in the golf-course sector, and the types of applications you would be making. Presenters will discuss what a business model looks like, along with the equipment needed in the turf sector. There will also be an expert panel at the end of the session.

Session 13—Vineyard and Orchard Application

Chair and Cochair: Briana Layfield, President, Ag-Bee LLC; Steve Li, Extension Specialist, Auburn University

This session will focus on the application of products in vineyards and orchards via drone. Content will cover latest field study data, typical application parameters, seasonal considerations, product interactions, and best practices for implementing successful drone application in these crops.

Session 14—Pesticides Application: The Basics

Chair and Cochair: Briana Layfield, President, Ag-Bee LLC; Sarah Hovinga, Regulatory Policy Analyst, Bayer Crop Science

This session will cover an introduction to pesticides and useful applied materials, including types of products, an overview of pesticide research and development, regulatory processes, and potential risks, with a focus on labels. Label details will be discussed, and an expert panel will share insights and answer FAQs regarding pesticide applications and labels.

Session 15—Drone Solutions for Aquatic and Habitat Management

Chair and Cochair: Jeff Dickens, Regional Lead, Rantizo; Rick Jordan, Operations Manager, CNY Drone Services

This session will focus on drone applications for aquatic and habitat restoration, covering techniques for water quality management, invasive species control, and ecological support. Attendees will learn practical methods for monitoring, seeding, and erosion control to sustain biodiversity.

Session 16—Expert Q&A: Insights from Industry Leaders

Chair and Cochair: Rick Jordan, Operations Manager, CNY Drone Services; Nathan Parmentier, President, Airgro

This session will offer a rotating panel of experts covering diverse topics in 30-minute segments, from field operations to technical challenges. Concurrently, attendees can engage in one-on-one discussions with industry experts at dedicated booths for customized guidance on specific questions.

Session 17—Elevating Drone Business Operations: Streamlining Success from the Ground Up

Chair and Cochair: Kurt Beckley, Owner, Altitude Agri Services; Jeff Dickens, Regional Lead, Rantizo

This session will cover managing behind-the-scenes operations, including bookkeeping, record-keeping, and ensuring compliance with business and applicator licensing requirements. It will also cover staying up-to-date with industry regulations, effectively managing business liabilities and client expectations, and overseeing both full-time and seasonal staff, including college students and interns.

Session 18—Expanding Horizons: Unique and Specialized Drone Applications

Chair and Cochair: Bryan Hammis, Owner/Pilot In Command, Flying Acres, LLC; Briana Layfield, President, Ag-Bee LLC

This session will explore alternative verticals within the spray drone industry, including fire prevention, ornamentals, solar panel, vector control, and more. It will conclude with a panel discussion that allows attendees to engage with industry pioneers.

Session 19—Precision Drone Applications in Vegetation and Forestry Management

Chair and Cochair: Jeff Dickens, Regional Lead, Rantizo; Rick Jordan, Operations Manager, CNY Drone Services

This session will explore the use of drones in IVM and forestry, from selective herbicide application to forest mapping and inventory. Participants will gain insights into efficient corridor management, vegetation control, and forest conservation strategies.

Session 20—Insurance and Liability

Chair and Cochair: Aaron Duval, COO, AcuSpray; Steve Li, Extension Specialist, Auburn University

This session will discuss the pros and cons of Drone Hull Insurance, chemical application liability insurance, how to select the right amount of coverage, how drone and its spare parts should be insured, etc. Spray drone insurance underwriter will also present what changes to expect for drone operators in 2025 season.

Session 21—Drone Business Foundations

Chair and Cochair: Nathan Parmentier, President, Airgro; Kurt Beckley, Owner, Altitude Agri Services

In this session, guest speakers will highlight various marketing strategies and everything related to drone business finance. Followed by this will be an opportunity to hear from a panel of experts who will share their testimonies as it relates to regional rate structures and local issues and obstacles, as well as answer audience questions.

Session 22—Coordinated Flight: Enhancing Agriculture with Drones and Manned Aircraft

Chair and Cochair: Bryan Hammis, Owner/Pilot In Command, Flying Acres, LLC; Jeff Dickens, Regional Lead, Rantizo

This session will explore drone operations across the United States that collaborate directly with manned aircraft, focusing on how both can work together more effectively and safely to enhance operational outcome

Session 23—Developing Agricultural UAS Programs for Education

Chair and Cochair: Joel Jones, Owner, Drone Crop Services; Kurt Beckley, Owner, Altitude Agri Services

This session is intended for educators that are building or expanding UAS workforce programs at the high school, college, and university level. The speakers and panelists will speak on developing curriculum, identifying sources of funding, and resources needed for UAS programs.

Session 24—Cotton, Potato, and Rice

Chair and Cochair: Steve Li, Extension Specialist, Auburn University; Jeff Dickens, Regional Lead, Rantizo

This session will explore specific spray drone applications in cotton, potato, and rice to ensure new operators can achieve successful applications in their operation. This includes cotton PGR, defoliation, insecticide, and fungicide application in potatoes, herbicide application in rice, etc.