Getting Started with Drone Technology on Your Farm

Over the last few years, there’s been a big rise in questions from farmers about using drones in agriculture. Whether it’s for capturing aerial imagery during the growing season or looking into spray drones, interest is booming—and for good reason.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to get started with drone technology on your farm. In future posts, we’ll dive deeper into spray drone technology and how it’s being used on more and more farms every year.

What’s in a Name? Drones, sUAS, UAS, UAV…

Let’s clear up a little terminology first. In the drone world, you’ll hear a few different acronyms:

• sUAS – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• UAS – Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

In this post, we’ll keep it simple and just say drone or spray drone.

Also worth noting: drone technology and regulations are changing fast. If you’re thinking about bringing drones to your operation, it’s important to stay updated on the rules.

How Can a Drone Help on My Farm?

The #1 question farmers ask is: “How is a drone actually going to help me?” And like a good agronomist would say—it depends. But here’s what we’re seeing:

• Drones offer an aerial view of your fields to spot issues like ponding or wind damage.
• More crop scouts and farmers are using them for early-season weed and crop scouting—no more zig-zagging across fields on foot.
• They’re becoming a reliable tool for identifying problems quickly and efficiently.

Know the Rules: Using a Drone = Commercial Use 

If you’re using a drone to gather imagery or make management decisions (like scouting crops or checking livestock), it’s considered commercial use by the FAA.

That means you either need to:

• Be a certified FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot, or
• Be directly supervised by someone who is

This even applies to things like:

• Documenting storm damage
• Finding tile lines
• Locating cattle
• Checking on the crop
• And others

So yes—if you're flying a drone on the farm for more than fun, the FAA rules apply.

FAA Part 107: What You Need to Know

To stay compliant and fly legally, you’ll need to follow the FAA’s Part 107 regulations, which include:

• Earning a Remote Pilot Certificate
• Registering your drone
• Displaying your registration number (N-number) on the drone
• Following safe flying practices

Step 1: Learn the Rules

Here’s a quick snapshot of the Part 107 rules:

• Drone must weigh under 55 lbs
• Must stay within visual line of sight
• Fly only during daylight or civil twilight hours (with proper lighting)
• Yield to manned aircraft
• Fly at or below 400 feet AGL
• No hazardous materials
• You can fly in Class G airspace without permission. For Class B, C, D, or E—near airports—you’ll need authorization

Helpful link: FAA Summary of Part 107 Rules

Step 2: Become a Certified Remote Pilot

To get certified:

1. Study for the knowledge test, which covers airspace, weather, regulations, and safety
2. Create an account with IACRA to get an FAA Tracking Number (FTN)
3. Schedule your test at an FAA-approved PSI testing center

Pro Tip:

Many farmers find it helpful to attend a 2-day, in-person training course to prepare for the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test. The Iowa State University Digital Ag Innovation Lab is partnering with High Tech Solutions for Ag (HTS Ag) to have a 2-day Part 107 training in Ames, IA on June 4 and 5, 2025. This intensive class will help provide information on everything you need to know for this test.

Learn more about the Ames FAA Part 107 Test Prep Course. 

Step 3: Register Your Drone

If your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs (most do), you’ll need to register it with the FAA.

• Cost: $5 per drone
• Valid for: 3 years
• Must display your N-number on the drone
• Keep your registration card on hand while flying

Register your drone using this website- FAA DroneZone

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Think Big

Technology in farming is moving fast—and drones are quickly becoming an essential tool. Taking the time to learn how to operate a drone legally and safely is a smart investment in your farm’s future.

Whether you’re interested in aerial scouting or gearing up for spray drone use, getting your FAA Part 107 certificate is your first step.

Stay tuned—we’ll cover spray drone technology in an upcoming blog post!