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UAS in Agriculture with MSU

Become a certified drone pilot in agriculture!

MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) in partnership with Northwestern Michigan College have developed an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) training program for students studying at MSU or in one of MSU IAT’s Certificate programs. The structure and scheduling of the UAS in Agriculture Training program will allow for students to complete this course without interfering with their regularly scheduled courses or required internship.

During this course you will receive an FAA Commercial Drone Pilot Certificate and receive training on a wide range of drones that are currently being used in the Agricultural Industry. This is a hands on course. You will be out in the field learning to fly drones and conducting flight missions collecting data that is beneficial to the grower. You will learn how to use this amazing new technology in your career.

Train on current drones such as:

  • DJI Phantom series
  • DJI Inspire 2
  • Aeryon Skyranger
  • Sensefly eBee
  • DJI Agras – Crop Sprayer

Work with the following technologies:

  • High-resolution cameras
  • Multi-spectral cameras
  • Infrared cameras
  • Pix4D Mapping Software
  • Sentera Field Agent Apps
  • DJI Mapping Apps

Fly at different locations:

  • Row crops
  • Orchards
  • Vineyards
  • Hops

Read more details on the course here.

Watch these videos to learn how drones are changing Agriculture:


For more information, contact UAS Program Coordinator Tony Sauerbrey at (231) 995-2925 or tsauerbrey@nmc.edu.