As agricultural challenges intensify, the integration of drone technology into custom applications is changing how growers approach pest management in Minnesota. This panel discussion brings together a diverse group of experts: an experienced drone operator and applicator, an account manager for an innovative company pioneering drone solutions, and a regulatory authority overseeing licensing requirements for custom applications in Minnesota. Together, they will explore the multifaceted implications of drone-based pesticide application, addressing efficiency, economics, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance. Attendees will gain an understanding of how drone technology is reshaping pesticide application, enabling timely pest management when ground applications are restricted, and balancing productivity with environmental stewardship. The discussion will encourage dialogue on best practices, regulatory challenges, and the future of agricultural technology in Minnesota.

Panelists: Jay Sorg (Agri Spray Drones) / Jordan Stickle (Stickle Agronomy)/ Gurinderbir Chala (Minnesota Department of Agriculture)

Biographies:

Jay Sorg grew up on his family dairy and row crop farm in Southern Minnesota. H graduated from UW-River falls with a degree in Crop and Soil Science in 2019. He started as a Key Account Manager with Agri Spray Drones in 2023. Currently he is still actively farming corn and soybeans with his dad in New Richland MN.

Jordan Stickle was born and raised in Western Illinois where his family still farms today. He graduated from Western Illinois University in 2010 with a degree in Agricultural Business and Supply Chain Management.  He worked for Land O Lakes for 7 years as a District Seed Manager and moved to Minnesota in 2017. He worked as an agronomist at a local coop 5 years.  Jordan currently is involved in selling seed, custom drone spraying/spreading, dealer for Agrispray Drones and helps a farmer during planting and harvest. He has been a CCA member since 2018 and a Mower County Corn and Soybean Growers board member since 2022.

Gurinderbir Chahal's educational expertise and professional work experience lie in the area of Agronomy, Soil Science, Weed Science, Crop Protection, and Pesticide Regulations. He has worked in different sectors of Agriculture for instance, educational institution (Purdue University), private sector (FMC Corporation), and public sector (Minnesota Department of Agriculture). He has a Masters in Soil Science from Punjab Agricultural University, India and PhD in Pesticide Science from North Carolina State University. He has almost 30 years of professional level experience as an agricultural scientist, 15 years of professional level experience of working with crop protection products, 8.5 years of professional level experience of working in the state, and 5 years of experience of managing and leading a regulatory program. During these 30 years of professional experience in different sectors and two different countries, he has had the opportunity to serve farmers and provide them scientific solutions to improve their agronomic practices. In his current role, he manages a team who is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of Federal Certification Plan in Minnesota. This plan allows MDA to issue more than 30,000 licenses every year. In this role, he represents MDA at local, state, and national level. He serves in different national level groups and ad hoc committees to address certification plan related issues. Over the last 30 years, he has published almost 30 publications in the national and international journals, reviewed numerous papers, written news articles, BMPs, white papers, policy bills, certification plan, patents, and presented my scientific findings at various conferences/meetings.