Nebraska Ag Drone Conference | CropWatch

third annual

Nebraska Ag and Spray Drone Conference

in partnership with northeast community college

spray drone flying over corn field at sunset

Now in its third year, the Nebraska Ag and Spray Drone Conference is the Midwest’s largest event dedicated to drone technology in agriculture. This two-day conference brings together national leaders in ag tech, spray drone operation, research, law and policy for an immersive experience in the future of aerial applications. Whether you’re a producer, commercial drone operator, educator, or just exploring the industry, this event offers cutting-edge insight, hands-on demos and invaluable networking.

The conference also features virtual attendance, registration discounts, and sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities — keep scrolling for all the details!

Contact:

Dirk Charlson

Statewide Digital Ag Extension Educator

(402) 460-0742
dirk.charlson@unl.edu
Faculty Bio

Articles

2025 Conference Highlights

Nebraska Extension and Northeast Community College are pleased to host the third annual Nebraska Ag and Spray Drone Conference, taking place Aug. 21–22 at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

This two-day event offers a unique opportunity to connect with national leaders in ag drone technology through expert presentations, hands-on exhibits, and in-depth discussions shaping the future of aerial application in agriculture.

New in 2025! Can’t attend in person? A remote option is also available, giving participants flexibility while still accessing all the insights and recorded sessions.

As an added bonus for early attendees, the first 75 people to register in-person on the first day of the conference will receive a complimentary copy of the “The Evolution of Spray Drones, Their Capabilities and Challenges for Pesticide Applications” from Purdue.

cover of Purdue University drone manual featuring a drone flying over a field of green crops

The 2025 conference features a dynamic lineup of experts from across the ag drone industry — researchers, legal specialists, FAA representatives and technology innovators — who will share insight on essential topics for the ag drone industry, including:

“Drone Outreach in Nebraska” — Dr. Dirk Charlson, Nebraska Extension
“Spray Drone Research Update” — Dr. Steve Li, Auburn University
“Drones on the Farm: Practical Lessons from a Season in Nebraska” — Dr. Mailson Freire de Oliveira, Nebraska Extension
“The WeatherHive System: Insights from the Nebraska Mesonet Demonstration” — Dr. Matthew Cann, Greensight, Inc
“Developing Workforce Curriculum for Training Spray Drone Pilots” — Joel Jones, Orange County College and Drone Crop Services
“UAS Regulations and Ag Operations” — Al Brunner, Federal Aviation Administration
“The Nebraska Pesticide Act, Worker Protection Requirements and Chemical Spills in Relation to Drone Applications” — Holly Hillebran and Libby Walsh, Nebraska Department of Agriculture
“NE Ag Drone Consortium” — Kevin Knorr, Volitant Technologies
“The Evolution of Airstrike Ag” — Nathan Stein, AirStrike Ag
“The Flight Before the Flight: Pre-Application Mapping for Safer, More Efficient Spraying” — Julius Petri, Pix4D
“Stewardship of Pesticide Application and FieldWatch Registries” — Curt Hadley and Craig Romary, FieldWatch
“Drone Law Updates” — Jonathan Rupprecht, Rupprecht Law
“Crop Intelligence and AI” — Tim Pearson, Taranis
“Ag Drone Insurance” — Vaughn Tolbert, VT Insurance Agency

... and more to come!

Conference attendees watch a Nebraska Extension presentation on UAV mapping systems, showing steps to collect data, process insights, and generate results.

Conference Schedule

8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21
8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22

Conference Location

Lifelong Learning Center
Northeast Community College
801 East Benjamin Ave., Norfolk, NE 68701

Certified Crop Advisors and Agronomists: Needing Continuing Education Credits?

Four CEUs in precision ag will be available for each day of the conference.

For more information on featured presentations and other conference events, read our press release or contact the event organizer, Nebraska Extension Statewide Digital Ag Educator Dirk Charlson, via email or phone, 402-460-0742 (call or text).

Registration

In-person and Remote Options

The conference will be offered in two formats: in-person and remote.

Registration for both days and formats is $275 and includes access to presenter recordings at the conclusion of the conference. Online registration will be available until the day of the conference. In-person registration will be from 8-8:30 a.m. on Aug. 21.

Register

Educator/Student Registration Discounts

An educational discount is available to students and educators who pre-register online for the conference. Please complete the online discount application (prior to completing registration) by Monday, Aug. 18 to be considered for the reduced registration fee.

Once approved to receive the discount, you'll receive a promo code via email to use during online registration.

Apply here

Special Rate for NU, Extension and NECC Attendees

An educational discount is available to students, faculty and staff of the University of Nebraska, Nebraska Extension, and Northeast Community College who pre-register online. Please complete the discount application (prior to completing registration) by Monday, Aug. 18 to be considered for the reduced rate.

Once approved to receive the discount, you'll receive a promo code via email to use during online registration.

Apply here

Sponsors and Exhibitors

Exhibitors and sponsors help make this educational event possible!

The Nebraska Ag and Spray Drone Conference is solely supported by registration fees, exhibitor fees and sponsorships. If you choose to become an exhibitor or sponsor, your monetary support ensures that this conference and drone education continue to grow in the coming years.

As an exhibitor or sponsor of the Nebraska Ag and Spray Drone Conference, you will also enjoy the following benefits:

farmer operates drone with handheld console as it flies into soybean field while tractor drives in background

Exhibitors

Perks of exhibiting Include:

Public recognition in press releases and during/after conference
Access to future talent looking for employment
Access to leaders and customers in Nebraska drone industry
Two (2) free admission tickets ($550 value)

Contribution amount: $500

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Premium Level — $1,500
Gold Level — $750
Silver Level — $500
Bronze Level — $250
Supporter Level — Other Amounts

If you would like to support the conference with a smaller contribution, you will also be recognized during the conference! Please select 'Sponsor Only' on the exhibitor/sponsorship application for this option.

Exhibitor/Sponsorship Application

Travel and Lodging

Coming in from out of town? We've reserved a block of discounted rooms at Hampton Inn, and there are several other hotel options in the Norfolk area. For those traveling to Nebraska, four airports are within driving distance — see more travel info below.

Hotel Block Details

Hampton Inn — $110 + tax
- 904 S. 20 St., Norfolk, NE 68701
- 1-800-HAMPTON; (402) 379-3585 (local)

When calling, mention 'Third Nebraska Ag and Spray Drone Conference' to receive the event rate!

closeup of Nebraska map centered on the city of Norfolk which is highlighted in orange

Norfolk Accommodations

Holiday Inn
- 920 S. 20th St. Norfolk, NE 68701
- (402) 379-1524
Fairfield Inn and Suites
- 1302 Cyhawk Lp, Norfolk, NE 68701
- (402) 370-2244
Norfolk Lodge & Suites
- 4200 W. Norfolk Ave., Norfolk, NE 68701
- (402) 379-3833
Super 8
- 1223 Omaha Ave., Norfolk, NE 68701
- (402) 379-2220

map of Norfolk Nebraska with pins on several hotels

Most Norfolk hotels are just a 10-minute drive to the conference center!

Need a ride?

Travel in comfort around the city on the North Folk Area Transit
Or request a ride through Norfolk's Uber or Lyft rideshare services

Nearby Airports

Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX) — Sioux City (80 miles)
Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI) — Grand Island (109 miles)
Eppley Airfield (OMA) — Omaha (114 miles)
Lincoln Airport (LNK) — Lincoln (124 miles)

Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Lunch provided by Volitant Drone Technology Solutions and Total Drone Solutions.

Refreshments provided by Spraytec Fertilizer and Pix4D.

And thank you to American Drone for providing complimentary copies of "The Evolution of Spray Drones," published by Purdue, for all in-person attendees!