MU Extension to offer drone workshop

PHOTO BY LINDA GEIST
Caleb O’Neal of University of Missouri Extension, pictured, and agronomy specialist Rusty Lee will hold a one-day class to teach about agriculture uses for drones at the Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center at Fairfax.

FAIRFAX, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension specialists will offer a full day of discussion and hands-on training using drones in agriculture from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 5 at the MU Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center in Fairfax.

According to a news release, the specialists will discuss the kinds of drones being used in agricultural settings, including an overview of the capabilities of small drones and large utility drones commonly used for spraying or spreading materials. They also will provide examples of how these technologies may be used by entrepreneurs in their business models.

The morning will be spent in classroom lecture and discussion with a catered lunch provided at noon.

The afternoon will be devoted to field exercises. Participants will receive hands-on training on manual flight maneuvers of small and large drones as well as autonomous mission planning and task implementation for drone imaging, spraying and spreading.

“By the end of the day, attendees should have a firm grasp on the many ways drones can be used in Missouri agriculture, the licensing and certifications required to pilot these technologies, basics of aircraft performance, weather and safety considerations, imaging and mapping tools, calibrating sprayer and spreader functions on utility drones and manual flight controls for these aircraft,” MU Extension agronomist Rusty Lee, said in the release.

Registration fees include trainings, materials packet and lunch. Preregistration is required by Aug. 1.

To register, visit bit.ly/MUEXTDRONE. For more information, contact Caleb O’Neal, MU Extension field specialist in plant science, at [email protected] or 417-466-2148.