WALDORF, Md. — The University of Maryland Extension will host a Drones in Agriculture workshop at the Charles County Soil Conservation Office in Waldorf from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The half-day program is designed for farmers, landowners and agricultural professionals interested in learning how drone technology can be applied to everyday operations. Attendees will receive an overview of drone equipment, guidance on FAA requirements for legal operation and live demonstrations showing how drones can be used for crop scouting, spraying and cover-crop seeding.
Organizers encourage Southern Maryland producers to take advantage of this free opportunity to explore how drones can improve efficiency, reduce costs and support better farm management.
The workshop will be held at the Charles County Soil Conservation Office, 4200 Gardiner Road, Waldorf, MD 20601. Registration for the event is available at go.umd.edu/dronesinag.
How Farmers Are Using Drones
Drones are proving to be powerful tools for crop management, offering aerial views that can reveal plant health, soil conditions and irrigation needs. Farmers can use drones to scout fields, identify pests or monitor nutrient deficiencies much faster than traditional methods. They also support precision spraying and seeding, which can reduce chemical use and cut labor costs.
Yet barriers remain. The upfront investment in drone equipment, combined with certification requirements and the need for technical training, can deter some producers. Data interpretation also requires additional expertise. While returns on investment can vary, many growers see the long-term benefits in improved efficiency, yield prediction and resource management.
Across Maryland, drones are being used for:
- Crop scouting: Rapid identification of pests, disease or stress.
- Stand counts: Quick surveys of plant populations across acres.
- Spraying: Precise application of fertilizers and pesticides.
- Cover crop seeding: Faster planting, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
- Yield estimation: Data-driven projections to guide markets and planning.
- Irrigation management: Mapping water distribution and identifying dry zones.
- Plant disease and stress detection: Early warning signs of crop health issues.
- Weed detection: Spotting outbreaks for targeted herbicide use.
- Soil and field mapping: Creating high-resolution maps to optimize inputs.
To explore more about how drones are transforming modern agriculture, visit UMD Extension’s publication, “An Overview of Drones in Agriculture.”
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