Returning to His Roots: How Rob Lane Combines Military Precision and Ag Passion with Drone Spraying in North Carolina

In the heart of Moore County, North Carolina, where pine forests and pastures stretch for miles, a new kind of aerial applicator is taking flight. Rob Lane, a U.S. military veteran and lifelong aviation enthusiast, is blending his love of farming and flying to bring drone spraying services to local growers and ranchers.

Rob owns and operates M&P Aerial Application, offering drone-based spraying and spreading services to farms of all sizes. From fungicide on wheat to herbicides in pastureland, his goal is simple: to make effective aerial application accessible, especially for those who haven’t had the option before.

“So far it’s mostly been fungicide work on wheat and then herbicides into pastures,” Rob shared. “I think there’s a big use for pastures. We don’t rut things up, and I think it’s just a sort of an untapped market that I’m hoping we can get into.”

From Military Service to Agricultural Service

Rob’s path to precision agriculture began with service. He enlisted in the Marine Corps straight out of high school in 2003. After four years, he transitioned into the U.S. Army, where he served for over 16 years, retiring out of Fort Bragg. His deployments took him across the Middle East and Africa.

But before all of that, Rob spent his summers helping out on his uncle’s farm—a place where his passion for agriculture was first planted. After two decades of military life, he was ready to return to those roots.

A Love of Flying, Fulfilled by Drones

Aviation wasn’t new to Rob—he even built his own RANS S-20 airplane from a kit. But flying a traditional crop duster wasn’t feasible in Moore County.

“If I could fly a crop duster, I would do it,” he said. “But there’s no market for it here. So the drone does the same thing, just in a different way.”

With small, disconnected fields surrounded by 100-foot trees, local farmers in Moore County don’t often have access to manned aerial services. That’s where drones step in—not just as a novelty, but as a practical tool for modern farming.

“Aerial application hasn’t been something farmers around here have had access to,” Rob said. “But with drones, they certainly do.”

Educating the Market, One Acre at a Time

While the technology is capable, Rob notes that education is the biggest challenge. Many farmers are unfamiliar with the idea of aerial application using drones, especially with the low water rates involved—often just 2–3 gallons per acre compared to 15–20 with ground rigs.

“The trouble is really just trying to reintroduce aerial application as the go-to method,” he explained.

Rob is passionate about showing how effective drone spraying can be—not just for row crops, but especially for pastures and cattle operations, where terrain makes traditional equipment difficult to use.

A Business Built to Serve

Rob’s journey into drone spraying started about three years ago after watching Agri Spray Drones videos online. He credits much of his early success to a local Agri Spray dealer, who offered guidance and let Rob see a drone operation firsthand.

He’s clear about what motivates him.

“I’m not trying to get rich off of anybody,” he said. “I just want it to work, be proven successful, and help in the community. If it grows from there, that’s awesome. If I can involve my children and get them outside, that’d be great too.”

Serving the Underserved with Precision and Passion

Rob Lane is part of a growing movement of veterans transitioning into agriculture—a space where leadership, discipline, and hands-on skill matter. With a drone remote in hand and years of service behind him, he’s helping farmers access a tool that many never imagined would be possible on their land.

Whether it’s reaching tight fields, avoiding soil compaction, or just getting the job done quickly and efficiently, Rob and his ag spray drone are proving that aerial application doesn’t have to mean a big plane and a long wait.

Agri Spray Drones is proud to support veterans like Rob who are shaping the future of agriculture with new technology and old-fashioned work ethic. Ready to explore drone spraying in your area? We’re here to help.

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