MSU offers free drone training course for state ag industry members

Michigan growers have a new technological tool at their disposal. Michigan State University is offering free drone training for those involved in the Michigan agriculture industry.

The course, offered through MSU’s Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences, is available to up to 20 people. The training is offered to individuals including growers, MSU Extension personnel, agricultural services employees and others working in the industry. The two training courses are in partnership with MSU’s Remote Sensing & GIS Research and Outreach Services (RS&GIS).

The courses are:

• FAA Part 107 Drone Test Prep & Beyond
• Drones in the Field

FAA Part 107 Drone Test Prep focuses on preparing participants for the FAA remote pilot exam to become certified while the Drones in the Field course focuses on using free or low-cost open-source software in combination with drones to collect, process and analyze drone imagery into useful products.

Normally, the courses cost $500 each. Funding for the free training is provided through a grant by MSU’s Project GREEEN. Applicants should complete a short survey here.

The next offering for these courses is June 26. Notifications will be sent to those accepted into the training.

Both training courses are online and offered through MSU onGEO. onGEO created the course through a collaborative partnership between onGEO, RS&GIS, and Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs).