High-resolution orthomosaic maps, NDVI vegetation indexes, and prescription maps.
Aerial mapping produces high-resolution orthomosaic images stitched from hundreds of overlapping aerial photos. Operators generate NDVI vegetation index maps showing crop vigor variation, multispectral analysis for nutrient and chlorophyll content, elevation models revealing drainage patterns, and prescription maps that feed variable-rate application equipment. Mapping flights deliver data products in GeoTIFF, KML, and shapefile formats for integration with precision ag platforms.
HBCU drone ag research & outreach – Nashville TN
Tennessee State University's DRONEs (Drone Research, Outreach, Navigation, and Education) Program is an HBCU-based initiative delivering drone agriculture research, pilot training, and Extension outreach to Tennessee farmers, with emphasis on serving historically underserved and limited-resource producers. The program offers FAA Part 107 prep courses, precision ag workshops, and applied field research.
Middle Tennessee precision ag & orchard drone services
Black Dog Drone Co. provides agricultural drone spraying and mapping services to Middle Tennessee grain and specialty crop producers. The company handles corn and soybean fungicide applications, orchard and vineyard spray programs in the Highland Rim, and NDVI mapping for precision agronomic recommendations.
Land-grant drone research, training & extension – Lexington KY
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky operates a drone research and extension program focused on precision agriculture for Kentucky grain, tobacco, and forage producers. The program conducts field trials, trains producers in drone scouting and application, and partners with county Extension offices statewide.
AL · comprehensive drone application across row crops, forestry & aquatics
Alabama-based operator founded 2023 offering comprehensive drone aerial application across row crops, forestry, pastures, and invasive species. Covers AL, GA, MS, FL, TN, AR, and KY. Services include cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans, hay, loblolly pine, orchards, vegetables, and aquatic weed management plus multispectral imaging.
A standard mapping flight produces an orthomosaic (georeferenced aerial image), NDVI vegetation index map, elevation model, and field boundary files. Advanced flights add multispectral analysis and prescription maps for variable-rate application equipment.
Drones equipped with RTK/PPK GPS achieve 1 to 3 cm horizontal accuracy and 2 to 5 cm vertical accuracy, sufficient for precision ag applications and field documentation. Standard mapping without RTK achieves 3 to 10 cm accuracy.
There are 4 operators offering aerial mapping drone services in Kentucky: Tennessee State University DRONEs Program, Black Dog Drone Co., University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Coastal Agriculture Services.