Raleigh, North Carolina has 1 verified agricultural drone operator listed in the directory, serving farms across the surrounding area. Home of NC State University and NC Cooperative Extension; eastern North Carolina row-crop and tobacco region. Together they list corn and soybeans as the primary crops treated by drone, with additional coverage across other regional commodities. North Carolina drone application rates run $16 to $25/acre depending on field size, crop and application timing, in line with 2026 statewide benchmarks. Available services in Raleigh include pilot training, crop scouting, aerial mapping and ag consulting, giving growers a full menu beyond pesticide application. Every operator working over North Carolina fields must hold FAA Part 107 plus Aerial Methods category + specialty category. Aircraft inspection $25/aircraft. from NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and many also carry FAA Part 137 for commercial agricultural aircraft operations. Contact the operators below directly for season availability, exact per-acre pricing and to confirm license and insurance status before booking.
Land-grant drone research & farmer education, Raleigh NC
NC State University Extension Precision Agriculture program delivers drone education, demonstration and research services to North Carolina farmers. County agents and specialists conduct field days, FAA Part 107 workshops and applied research on drone-based fungicide and herbicide efficacy for tobacco, cotton, corn and soybeans.
Raleigh sits in Wake County with a population of approximately 467,665 (US Census Bureau Places).
Home of NC State University and NC Cooperative Extension; eastern North Carolina row-crop and tobacco region.
Sources: USDA NASS Census of Agriculture (county-level cropland and farm-receipts tables) and US Census Bureau Places gazetteer. Confirm exact figures via primary source for any decision-grade use.
| Crop | Operators | Rate ($/acre) | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corn | 1 | $12 to $18 | Jul to Aug |
| Soybeans | 1 | $12 to $18 | Jul to Sep |
| Wheat | 1 | $12 to $16 | May to Jun |
| Cotton | 1 | $14 to $20 | Jun to Oct |
Rate ranges from national crop benchmarks. North Carolina statewide range: $16 to $25/acre. Estimate your job →
Commercial agricultural drone application in North Carolina requires the federal FAA Part 137 certificate plus Aerial Methods category + specialty category. Aircraft inspection $25/aircraft. from NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 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 North Carolina and federally.
Use the spray cost calculator to model Raleigh jobs against the $16 to $25/acre state range. Pin down acres, target crop (most Raleigh jobs are corn), and whether you need application only or chemical-included pricing.
Confirm the operator holds FAA Part 107, FAA Part 137 and Aerial Methods category + specialty category. Aircraft inspection $25/aircraft.. 0 of 1 Raleigh operators in this directory list Part 137. Ask for a copy of their certificate and state license number before signing.
Corn treatment in North Carolina typically lands in the Jul to Aug window. Demand spikes in peak season, so contact 2 to 3 of the Raleigh 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 Raleigh typically runs $16 to $25/acre, in line with the broader North Carolina 2026 benchmark. Application-only rates exclude chemical, and quotes vary based on field size, terrain and crop. Corn jobs in North Carolina 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.
1 verified agricultural drone operators are listed in the directory for Raleigh, North Carolina: NC State Ag Drones. All listings are reviewed for licensing claims and contact information before publication.
Of the 1 Raleigh operators listed, 1 hold FAA Part 107 (Remote Pilot Certificate) and 0 hold FAA Part 137 (Agricultural Aircraft Operator), which is the federal credential required for commercial agricultural application. 0 list NDAA Section 848 compliant equipment. On the state side, North Carolina requires Aerial Methods category + specialty category. Aircraft inspection $25/aircraft. from NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for any commercial drone pesticide application.
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