LSU Collaboration Brings Cost-Saving Drone Technology to Louisiana Farmers

Agriculture is a $13 billion piece of the Louisiana economy. A new collaboration between LSU of Alexandria, the LSU AgCenter, and local Louisiana business Guardian Aerial is bringing precision agriculture to life, giving Louisiana farmers a new tool to add to their toolboxes. Precision agriculture utilizes technology, such as sensors or drones, to assist farmers. 

— Video by Grant French

“I originally served about 13 years in the military as a helicopter pilot and then separated from the military and started flying as an EMS pilot. I wanted to do something on the side. I found that there was a huge gap in the agriculture industry in Louisiana, and when it comes to drones,” said Clinton Giglio, CEO and Founder, Guardian Aerial. 

That’s where sprayer drones come in. 

“The sprayer drones are so new to the American farmer and here in Louisiana that we're trying to do a lot of research really quickly to let them know what they're going to get from a sprayer drone,” said Randy Price, LSU AgCenter associate professor. 

 Louisiana farmer Paul Van Mol is interested in learning more about sprayer drones.  

“I'm a first-generation farmer, and I grew up in this area with my dad. Farming with a drone is another tool we can use for timing,” Van Mol said. 

Photos by Eddy Perez

LSU of Alexandria is expanding its programs to enable students to become licensed remote pilots.  

“We are starting the new agricultural program. We want to train students to work locally and be able to use drones and other technology to make farming more efficient, more cost-effective,” said Nathan Sammons, Dean of LSU of Alexandria’s College of STEM.  

“This is a unique niche in our industry where we can incorporate new and emerging technology that the younger generations coming up are more fond of and familiar with into the agriculture industry,” Giglia said. 

Jason Ingalls, a Guardian Aerial board member, said drones can help reduce costs and increase efficiency for the entire industry. 

“We're really excited about the opportunities that partnering with LSUA, as well as the LSU AgCenter and the entire LSU program, to deliver great drone service using Louisiana-sourced labor, and to enable students to transfer into a career path in a high-technology industry. That has a meaningful impact on a major industry in Louisiana agriculture,” Ingalls said. 

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