University of Maryland Extension
MD · Agronomic Drone School + cover crop seeding research
Hosts the Agronomic Drone School at Wye Research and Education Center with live spray demonstrations. Conducts drone cover crop seeding research with partner operators including Scout Applicators and K Drone Services. Led by Andrew Kness and Erika Crowl. Key resource for MD farmers exploring drone ag adoption.
Operations are based in the Southeast region.
Services offered
Crops serviced
States served (1)
Aerial pesticide licensing in states served
Every state requires a pesticide applicator license with the aerial category endorsement on top of FAA Part 137. The agencies that issue these licenses in UMD Extension's service area:
- Maryland — Any commercial drone spray over Maryland fields needs Category 13: Aerial, issued by Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA).
Full agency, exam and renewal-cycle details by state are catalogued on the state pesticide licensing reference.
Verify and resources
Primary-source references for verifying credentials and looking up state-specific rules in UMD Extension's service area.
Frequently asked questions
Ask University of Maryland Extension for four documents to confirm credentials: the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate number, the Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate, the state aerial-category pesticide applicator license, and a certificate of insurance carrying chemical drift coverage. In Maryland the state credential is issued by Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA); you can ask the operator for the applicator license number and verify it with the agency directly. The Section 44807 exemption number is the fourth piece, applicable to any drone over 55 lbs gross weight.
Typical drone spraying rates of $12 to $22 per acre in the region is application-only — the chemical itself, surfactants and adjuvants are usually farmer-supplied. The rate covers calibration, RTK GPS flight planning, the labor to fly the field, mixing and loading from the supplied product, and the FIFRA Part 170 application record (date, time, product, EPA reg number, rate, weather, field ID). Watch for travel surcharges past a stated radius, weekend or emergency-turnaround premiums, terrain or obstruction add-ons, and any minimum-acreage floor on small fields. Confirm in writing.