GREENVILLE — Greenville Middle School students received an up-close look at the growing use of drones in agriculture when representatives of Airborne Applicators LLC spent the day discussing their work and career opportunities.
Dan Fourman and Aaron Letteer of the Arcanum-based company introduced students to the large drones they use to apply fungicides and other agricultural products to crops. Airborne Applicators is owned and operated by U.S. military veteran farmers.
The visit was part of Greenville Middle School’s expanding career-technical education program, which helps students explore potential career paths before entering high school.
“It is a state-mandated program now for middle schools to have career tech,” said Jeff Miller, a teacher in the school’s career-technical program. “We have career tech in agriculture and engineering. Our health classes are now in the career-tech curriculum, and we have some fifth- and sixth-graders doing information technology that is career-tech related.”
Miller said the program is designed to prepare students to make informed decisions about their high school education.
“Obviously, our goal is to increase our numbers in career tech and make productive workers in our community,” Miller said.
Nearly 100 students are enrolled in agriculture classes, while approximately 100 participate in other career-technical courses. All seventh-grade students take a career exploration class.
“They’re not choosing a career, but they’re learning about careers,” Miller said. “I have a multitude of community members who have agreed to spend a day at Greenville Middle School. The gentlemen here today spent the entire day here, and the kids have really been engaged and enjoyed the opportunity.”
Miller said the school’s agriculture program will eventually connect students with Greenville High School’s FFA program, directed by Rob Winner.
Fourman explained that agricultural drones offer farmers another option for applying fungicides to their fields.
“Currently, farmers will spray their fields with fungicide using planes or helicopters, and drones are the newest way to get that application done,” Fourman said. “We’re about the same cost per acre, and it seems like drones are a little more efficient.”
The drones fly approximately 10 feet above crops, allowing operators to reach corners and other areas that can be difficult to cover with traditional aircraft or ground equipment.
Fourman said drones also eliminate some of the dangers pilots face when flying near trees, power lines, and other obstacles.
Letteer told students that operating the equipment requires teamwork. Two people generally operate the company’s mobile rig, with one monitoring the drone’s flight and the other preparing agricultural products and ensuring batteries are charged.
“One person is always watching the drones, seeing where they’re going and making sure they’re not going to run into anything,” Letteer said. “Another person is usually underneath mixing chemicals, making sure the chemicals are ready to go and the batteries are charged, so we can be as efficient as possible.”
The company operates under government regulations and must maintain the proper licenses and records. Letteer said federal officials inspect Airborne Applicators annually.
The rapid increase in agricultural drone businesses demonstrates the industry’s potential, he said. According to an inspector who recently visited the company, the number of drone application businesses operating in a four-county area increased from four to 40 within a year.
“This is a business that is growing exponentially,” Letteer said. “There is a lot of opportunity out there.”
Fourman said the emerging industry also requires continued education because operators enter the field with varying levels of experience.
“There is a big learning curve,” Fourman said. “There are a lot of entrepreneurs getting involved, so different applicators have different levels of expertise.”
With agriculture playing a major role in Darke County’s economy, the presentation gave students an opportunity to see how farming, technology, and entrepreneurship are coming together to create new local careers.
