On-Farm Applications of Drones for Water Quality Workshop draws partner agencies to Georgia

On Thursday August 26th, the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District co-hosted a workshop alongside the VACD Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Program and the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain at Kent and April Henderson's house in Georgia, Vermont.

Twenty five people from partner agencies like the NRCS, VT Department of Environmental Conservation, Northwest Regional Planning Commission, other Conservation Districts, and farmers from the area came to learn about using sUAS (or drones) to assist with conservation planning and water quality improvement projects on farms.

The event began with mingling followed by an introduction to the landscape by landowner and chair of the Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, Kent Henderson. Lauren Newman and Izzy Bazluke with VACD then engaged in lively Q&A with the guests about how they are using drones as tools to assist engineers, wetlands ecologists, and communities in understanding the landscape around Vermont through imagery and elevation data collection.

There were even drone-themed cookies for all to enjoy!

Thanks to all who attended and we look forward to being able to partner on projects across Franklin County that can use this type of technology to help with all of our natural resources!

Izzy Bazluke (left) an Lauren Newman (right) in front of their displays showing the capabilities of drone technology

Kent Henderson (left) explaining the history of his land and water quality issues to a group of attendees

Pilots (left) watching drone in the sky during a demonstration for the group

Drone (named Rachel Flyson) landing in field after demonstration flight

Drone (Rachel Flyson) up in the air under a cloud-filled sky

Drone-shaped cookies made for the event