Drone technology is increasingly becoming an indispensable tool for American agriculture, bringing immense value to an industry tasked with feeding millions and driving the economy. From crop monitoring and disease detection to seeding and spraying, drones are transforming day-to-day farm operations and shaping a new era of agriculture that is more efficient, cost-effective, and safer for growers.
As the top choice for U.S. farmers, DJI drones make up nearly 80% of the agriculture drones in use in the nation. For years, DJI drones have unlocked huge economic and social value in America’s Heartland, contributing $515 million to U.S. agriculture in 2023 alone.
Many U.S. farmers have leveraged drone technology to build sustainable, profitable businesses, and DJI is honored to play a role in their success. In this second installment of our Farmers of the Future series, we explore the real-life stories of two American farmers who have adopted drone technology to revolutionize their farming practices. Timothy Danley, a fourth-generation farmer from California, and Russell Hedrick, a former firefighter turned first-generation farmer from North Carolina, share how drones have empowered them to not just adapt but thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Their inspiring journeys illustrate the transformative potential of this technology, offering valuable insights into how drones are strengthening American agriculture and shaping a smarter, more sustainable future for food.
Timothy Danley
Timothy Danley, a fourth-generation farmer in California, uses drones almost every day to manage his farm with precision and ease. Where he previously needed to rely on family and friends with airplanes and helicopters to take aerial photos of his fields, he can now immediately assess the state of his crops from an aerial perspective and monitor his farm’s progress in real time with drone technology.
A key success has been the ability to map out his orchard with the DJI Mavic 3T. Faced with a bloom issue in his orchard, Danley leveraged the drone’s capabilities to create a Near Dense Vegetative Index (NDVI) map of his entire orchard. This map, paired with geolocation data, allowed him to pinpoint problem trees, saving him valuable time and resources by targeting each problem area with accuracy.
Whether it's starting with an entry-level drone to capture aerial photos or advancing to more sophisticated models for prescription mapping and precision spraying, Timothy believes that every farm—regardless of size—can benefit from using drones. As the technology becomes more accessible, Danley is confident that drones will be integral to the future of farming.
Russell Hedrick
As a first-generation farmer from Hickory, North Carolina, Russell Hedrick has always embraced innovation on his farm. When he first introduced drones into his operations, alongside technologies like precision agriculture and real-time kinematics (or RTK, a satellite positioning method that provides centimetre-level accuracy), he quickly saw dramatic improvements in his crop yields. In fact, in his first year of using drones, he saw nearly double the county average yield on corn and beans, setting a state record in soybean yield in 2021 and even breaking the world record in dryland corn in 2022.
Russell sees the benefits of drones extending beyond his farm to the rural economy at large. By enhancing the profitability and sustainability of individual farms, drones play a vital role in strengthening the broader agricultural ecosystem. Given the crucial role agriculture plays in America’s economy, he hopes the technology will continue to be a key tool in farming, helping American agriculture remain competitive.
As we look to the future, drone technology promises even more opportunities to enhance food production, cut costs, and build resilience into America’s agricultural infrastructure—empowering farmers like Timothy and Russell. However, maintaining this progress will require ongoing support for drone use and policies that foster, rather than hinder, innovation. With thoughtful regulation and continued investment in drone technology, farmers will be better equipped to create a more resilient, sustainable, and profitable agricultural sector for years to come.
