As I drove into Washington, D.C. last week, I felt a unique sense of pride. I have visited the capital many times to see family or to advocate for agriculture, but this trip carried a different weight.
Looking back on the spray drone industry, I am struck by how far we have come in such a short time. What began as a futuristic idea has grown into a powerful technology that is reshaping agriculture. Spray drones are not only transforming how we farm, they are bringing people back to the family farm and introducing others to the greatest industry in the world.
This time, I found myself walking the halls of Congress, meeting with federal agencies, members of Congress, and even people from the White House, sharing a passion that I can only describe as the future of agriculture.
Passing through security and walking the historic halls reminded me of the importance of these conversations. The meetings were informative and eye opening. While most in Washington are familiar with drones, few understand the depth of the spray drone industry or realize that this is not a partisan issue. It is about livelihoods and necessity.
Of course, the common topics came up: Section 1709, DJI, Chinese drones, and the usual politics. But what mattered most was the opportunity to share the impact this industry is already having. The real question I asked was how we connect the applicator in America’s heartland with the people making decisions in Washington.
The answer I found is unity.
It does not matter what brand you fly, where you live, or who you purchased from. What matters is a unified voice. No more rumors. No more tearing one another down for making different choices. At our core, we are agriculturalists, working to feed the world, protect our land, and make a difference.
Advocacy often begins as a reaction. Last year’s challenges with customs issues and NDAA debates created new conversations and gave rise to groups like the American Spray Drone Coalition, UPASS, and more. These organizations matter because they represent the applicators running businesses in the heartland.
It was not until I sat in a meeting in the Senate Russell Building that this truly sank in. Too often, pride or division keeps us from working together. Right now, we face a choice. We can grow together, break barriers, and move this industry forward, or we can remain divided and let politics stall our progress.
Advocacy makes the difference. Your voice matters. The way forward is by supporting and joining advocacy organizations. Many industry leaders, myself included, are working to continue the conversation, but we cannot do it alone.
I am passionate about this work, and I invite you to join me. Help bridge the gap between the spray drone industry and Washington. Together we can shape the future of agriculture.
This trip left me inspired and motivated for what comes next. I will continue sharing this message at Elevate UAV, the Spray Drone End User Conference, and other events. If you want to get involved, need clarity, or would like to hear about what is really happening on the Hill, reach out to me.