Blacksburg, Virginia has 1 verified agricultural drone operator listed in the directory, serving farms across the surrounding area. Home of Virginia Tech and VT Cooperative Extension; western Virginia ag-research hub. Together they list corn and soybeans as the primary crops treated by drone, with additional coverage across other regional commodities. Virginia drone application rates run $16 to $26/acre depending on field size, crop and application timing, in line with 2026 statewide benchmarks. Available services in Blacksburg include pilot training, crop scouting, aerial mapping and ag consulting, giving growers a full menu beyond pesticide application. Every operator working over Virginia fields must hold FAA Part 107 plus Category 11: Aerial Pesticide Application from Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), and many also carry FAA Part 137 for commercial agricultural aircraft operations. Contact the operators below directly for season availability, exact per-acre pricing and to confirm license and insurance status before booking.
Land-grant UAS precision ag research & Extension, Blacksburg VA
Virginia Tech's School of Plant and Environmental Sciences operates a drone precision agriculture program conducting applied research on UAV-based spraying, remote sensing and variable-rate application. The program delivers producer workshops, Extension field days and FAA Part 107 training across Virginia in partnership with county Extension offices.
Blacksburg sits in Montgomery County with a population of approximately 44,826 (US Census Bureau Places).
Home of Virginia Tech and VT Cooperative Extension; western Virginia ag-research hub.
Sources: USDA NASS Census of Agriculture (county-level cropland and farm-receipts tables) and US Census Bureau Places gazetteer. Confirm exact figures via primary source for any decision-grade use.
| Crop | Operators | Rate ($/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 |
| Grapes / Vineyards | 1 | $18 to $30 | Mar to Sep |
| Orchards | 1 | $20 to $35 | Mar to Aug |
Rate ranges from national crop benchmarks. Virginia statewide range: $16 to $26/acre. Estimate your job →
Commercial agricultural drone application in Virginia requires the federal FAA Part 137 certificate plus Category 11: Aerial Pesticide Application from Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). 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 Virginia and federally.
Use the spray cost calculator to model Blacksburg jobs against the $16 to $26/acre state range. Pin down acres, target crop (most Blacksburg jobs are corn), and whether you need application only or chemical-included pricing.
Confirm the operator holds FAA Part 107, FAA Part 137 and Category 11: Aerial Pesticide Application. 0 of 1 Blacksburg operators in this directory list Part 137. Ask for a copy of their certificate and state license number before signing.
Corn treatment in Virginia typically lands in the Jul to Aug window. Demand spikes in peak season, so contact 2 to 3 of the Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg typically runs $16 to $26/acre, in line with the broader Virginia 2026 benchmark. Application-only rates exclude chemical, and quotes vary based on field size, terrain and crop. Corn jobs in Virginia 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 Blacksburg, Virginia: Virginia Tech Drone Ag. All listings are reviewed for licensing claims and contact information before publication.
Of the 1 Blacksburg 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, Virginia requires Category 11: Aerial Pesticide Application from Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) for any commercial drone pesticide application.