Modesto, California sits in Stanislaus County, an ag-relevant region with statewide drone-spray operator coverage available; this page surfaces the crops, rates and licensing context for Modesto farmers booking work. Northern San Joaquin Valley; almonds, walnuts, dairy and processing tomatoes drive Stanislaus County production. Primary crops in California include grapes / vineyards and orchards, each with established 2026 drone-spray rate bands. California drone application rates run $15 to $35/acre depending on field size, crop and application timing, in line with 2026 statewide benchmarks. Every operator working over California fields must hold FAA Part 107 plus CDPR Unmanned Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate from CDPR (CalEPA), and many also carry FAA Part 137 for commercial agricultural aircraft operations. Contact statewide operators in the California directory below for Modesto availability, or list your business free if you serve Modesto.
California vineyards & orchards specialist
SkyFarm Solutions is California's premier agricultural drone service provider, specializing in vineyard fungicide applications, orchard treatments and specialty crop mapping. We serve Napa, Sonoma, San Joaquin Valley and Central Valley growers with precision drone applications where tractors struggle on hillside terrain. 4 drones, year-round operations.
World's first drone pollination service · 25 to 50% yield increase
World's first commercial drone pollination service, founded 2017 in Syracuse, NY by Adam Fine and Matt Koball. Custom hexacopter fleet of 6 drones covers 40 acres/hour. Third-party studies show 25 to 50% yield increase. Won $500K Grow-NY prize and $250K GENIUS NY investment. First commercial apple pollination at Beak and Skiff orchard.
FL · first FAA-certified UAS spray company, 10,000+ flights completed
Daytona Beach, FL manufacturer and operator formerly known as LEAT (Leading Edge Aerial Technologies). First company to receive FAA certification for UAS spray applications of agricultural products. Founded 2012; acquired by Central Garden and Pet in November 2024. Completed over 10,000 UAS flights. Makes PrecisionVision PV35X, PV40X and PV100 platforms plus MapVision software.
DJI Agras distributor for western US. Demonstrated DJI T40 in Choteau, MT. T40 bundle approx. $34,000. Can run 4 drones simultaneously at 45 acres/hr.
FAA-approved ag drone spray operator offering end-to-end aerial application for crops, irrigation districts and government agencies statewide
AI-powered drone scouting service for Napa and Sonoma winegrowers providing early disease detection and targeted treatment recommendations
Specializes in UAV-based crop pollination, flying autonomous paths 10 to 12 feet above blooming plants in California orchards
California drone spraying and crop monitoring company partnering with AgTechLogic for smart sprayer technology integration
Official national DJI drone distributor and authorized service center based in Southern California at 18343 Gale Ave
Salinas-based agtech company specializing in autonomous drone swarming for precision spot-spray; partnered with ASW for heavy-lift platforms
Founded by former Corteva Agriscience drone pilot with pear and cherry farming family in Sacramento Delta region
Family-owned Central Valley ag spraying business with 25+ years experience; recently added drone services using XAG and Ceres Air platforms
Modesto sits in Stanislaus County with a population of approximately 217,946 (US Census Bureau Places).
Northern San Joaquin Valley; almonds, walnuts, dairy and processing tomatoes drive Stanislaus County production.
Sources: USDA NASS Census of Agriculture (county-level cropland and farm-receipts tables) and US Census Bureau Places gazetteer. Confirm exact figures via primary source for any decision-grade use.
| Crop | Operators | Rate ($/acre) | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grapes / Vineyards | 0 | $18 to $30 | Mar to Sep |
| Orchards | 0 | $20 to $35 | Mar to Aug |
| Rice | 0 | $14 to $22 | May to Aug |
Rate ranges from national crop benchmarks. California statewide range: $15 to $35/acre. Estimate your job →
Commercial agricultural drone application in California requires the federal FAA Part 137 certificate plus CDPR Unmanned Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate from CDPR (CalEPA). Read the federal rules in the FAA Part 137 guide and the state-by-state breakdown on state pesticide licensing.
Primary-source references for verifying ag drone operator credentials in California and federally.
Use the spray cost calculator to model Modesto jobs against the $15 to $35/acre state range. Pin down acres, target crop (most Modesto jobs are grapes / vineyards), and whether you need application only or chemical-included pricing.
Confirm the operator holds FAA Part 107, FAA Part 137 and CDPR Unmanned Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate. 0 of 0 Modesto operators in this directory list Part 137. Ask for a copy of their certificate and state license number before signing.
Grapes / Vineyards treatment in California typically lands in the Mar to Sep window. Demand spikes in peak season, so contact 2 to 3 of the Modesto operators below 4 to 6 weeks ahead with field maps, target product and a preferred date range. Confirm insurance certificates name your farm as additional insured before the first flight.
Drone spraying in Modesto typically runs $15 to $35/acre, in line with the broader California 2026 benchmark. Application-only rates exclude chemical, and quotes vary based on field size, terrain and crop. Grapes / Vineyards jobs in California sit toward the lower end of that range when fields are large and contiguous. Use the spray cost calculator to model your specific acreage before requesting quotes.
Modesto does not yet have an operator listed at the city level, but 41 drone operators cover California statewide and most can serve Modesto fields with reasonable travel. See the statewide grid below or use the spray cost calculator to estimate a job before reaching out. If you provide drone services in Modesto, list your business free to anchor this page.
Any operator booking commercial drone pesticide application over Modesto fields needs three credentials: FAA Part 107 (Remote Pilot Certificate) for the pilot, FAA Part 137 (Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate) for the business, and CDPR Unmanned Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate from CDPR (CalEPA). Confirm all three before any application; many operators also carry NDAA Section 848 compliance for cost-share eligible work.