California Farmers Looking up as New Bill Boosts More Drone Usage
California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson is applauding the recent signing of Assembly 1016, which will expedite training and licensing programs so that more farmers may use drones for pesticide applications.
“I am proud that the California Farm Bureau is leading the effort to ensure that farmers have access to precision technology,” Johansson says. “We thank Gov. Gavin Newsom for supporting us by signing Assembly Bill 1016. With aerial spray technology within reach of all farmers for the first time, this will help them save on crop protection costs by allowing drones to target affected areas instead of entire fields. Drone use can also replace backpack spray and ground-based delivery systems with remote technologies, which protects our agricultural employees from close contact with pesticide applications.
“California’s farmers and ranchers lead the world in innovation—producing amazing yields of fresh produce, dairy, and meats while decreasing water, fertilizer and pesticides use. AB 1016 is a bill in that spirit. It allows farmers better access to innovative technology to gain even more efficiency and safety.
“The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 29,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.3 million Farm Bureau members.”
