Keystone Interns Earn UAV Licenses and Hands-On Drone Skills

Oct 31, 2024


With a constantly changing agriculture industry, Keystone Cooperative is leading with people and innovation to maximize crop potential and ensure sustainability. At Keystone Cooperative, we are excited to be at the forefront of innovation by equipping our crop scouts with cutting-edge drone technology.

As we gear up for another busy season, we have opened opportunities for students interested in our Crop Tech Internship program, which not only prepares them for a career in agriculture but also empowers them to make a significant impact in the field.

Utilizing Drones in Agriculture
This year, every Crop Tech Intern will receive hands-on training to earn their Part 107 Commercial UAV License, financed by Keystone. Our interns will engage in practical flight training and gain over 130+ hours of flight experience throughout their 13-week internship. Drones allow interns to identify areas of interest from above, helping them concentrate on potential problem spots instead of spending time on fields that appear healthy. This targeted approach enhances efficiency, ensuring that every scouting report is packed with valuable insights.

Each intern will also receive a drone, valued at $900, which they get to keep at the end of the program. This provides them with a valuable tool for their future endeavors and instills a sense of ownership and pride in their work.



A Rich Learning Experience
Our internship program is designed to equip students with necessary agronomic skills that will serve them in their future careers. Interns will learn how to identify weeds, diseases, and insects; assess crop growth stages; and detect nutrient deficiencies. This knowledge, combined with aerial imagery analysis, allows for better field trend evaluations and more informed decision-making.

Interns will also have opportunities for professional development, including networking events with our Agronomy Division, tours of key facilities, and ride-alongs with experienced sellers and managers. This exposure helps cultivate skills and valuable connections within the industry.



Grower Benefits: A New Era of Precision Agriculture
For growers, our drone-assisted crop scouting offers major advantages. Each scouting report includes aerial UAV images that provide a comprehensive view of field trends. With the ability to spot weed patches, nutrient deficiency patterns, and damage assessments after storms; growers can make timely and informed management decisions. The enhanced efficiency of our Crop Techs allows them to cover more acres in less time, ensuring no potential issues go unnoticed.

Our range of services extends beyond aerial imagery to include field scouting, tissue sampling, soil sampling, and in-season crop insights. For example, identifying a heavy onset of disease, such as tar spot, can lead to proactive fungicide applications, ultimately saving crops from significant yield loss.



Join Us This Summer!
We are excited about providing opportunities for students who are investing their career into the future of agriculture. By joining our team, interns will gain valuable experiences and become part of a cooperative that prioritizes their community, growers and its team members.

At Keystone Cooperative, we don’t just provide internships- we provide opportunity for students to lead with innovation in an industry that feeds the world.

Apply now and take your first step toward a fulfilling career in agriculture with Keystone Cooperative!
APPLY HERE: www.keystonecoop.com/careers/internships/agronomy

Read More News

Nov 04, 2024
As Indianapolis hosted the 97th National FFA Convention, Keystone Cooperative continued our strong focus on supporting rural communities by welcoming FFA Chapters from our multi-state footprint into the cooperate office.
Sep 18, 2024
Keystone Leadership & Directors travel to 245 locations 
Jun 14, 2024
Keystone Cooperative provides students with a career opportunity through the newly launched Securing Experience + Employee Development (SEED) program.
 

Related Topics