Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s (ABAC) Department of Forest Resources has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to integrate drone training in its natural resource management baccalaureate degree program.

“This initiative is a significant leap forward in the department’s efforts to provide students with learning opportunities and skills, keeping them competitive in today’s technologically advanced work environment,” said Dr. William Moore, head of the Department of Forest Resources which is a part of ABAC’s School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The grant was awarded through NIFA’s Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture program which assists qualified institutions like ABAC in maintaining or expanding their capacity for education, research, outreach and extension, and other activities relating to agriculture and natural resources.

“Our Department of Forest Resources is widely known for its fantastic work in undergraduate education” said Scott Pierce, ABAC’s Director of Sponsored Programs. “It’s incredibly successful. We are very grateful for NIFA’s support of our work training the next generation of Forestry, Wildlife and Conservation Law Enforcement professionals.”

Through the completion of the two-year grant, ABAC faculty will develop a new course designed to teach students advanced skills in drone applications.

According to Moore, drone technology has become increasingly important in agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management as a cheaper alternative to expensive aerial survey methods that use piloted airplanes and helicopters. Modern-day drones can spray herbicides closer to the ground in agricultural and forest site preparation operations, assist with ignition and monitoring of prescribed fire, and provide close-up views of trees to inspect for insect or physical damage, such as what occurs after hurricanes, without placing pilots at risk.

Moore said he is excited about the potential these new technological capabilities bring for ABAC students.

“Our program emphasizes hands-on training,” he said. “By incorporating drone technology, we can offer our students unparalleled opportunities to engage with the latest tools and techniques in the field.”

The grant request was spearheaded by Dr. Shannon Kidombo, Associate Professor of Forestry at ABAC, with Dr. Vanessa Lane, Professor of Wildlife and Fire Ecology, and Dr. Jason Scott, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management, as co-directors.

“The grant funds will support experiential learning opportunities for students, fund the purchase of drone equipment, computer software, and training of staff to effectively integrate drones into our curriculum,” Kidombo said.

“These advancements in our curriculum have been needed for a long time,” said Lane. “Plus, the potential to expand our outreach capabilities with area professionals and landowners will be a major bonus for our program and our community.”

“This funding will play a crucial role in helping our graduates enter the workforce boots-on-the-ground ready to handle the cutting-edge drone technologies that are becoming more and more common,” added Scott.

“These are exciting times for ABAC and our students,” said Pierce. “With additions afforded us by grants such as this NIFA grant, we continue to solidify our status as a leader in the Southeast at preparing the next generation of natural resource managers. The addition of these drone technologies and skill development opportunities helps us ensure that when our graduates leave, they are work-force ready.”

This work is supported by the Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture, project award 2024-70001-43483, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.