Unmanned Aircraft in Agriculture: UAS for Turfgrass & Drones for STEM/STEAM Education

Dr. Dale Bremer is a Professor in the Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources at Kansas State University. His current responsibilities include research in turfgrass science, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in horticulture, advising graduate students in their master's and doctoral programs, and advising undergraduate students in turf-related curricula. He also serves as the departmental Director of Graduate Programs.

Dale received a B.S. in Agronomy in 1985 at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a M.S. in 1994 and Ph.D. in 1998 in Agronomy at Kansas State University. Dr. Bremer's research interests include, among other things, water conservation, environmental plant stress issues, greenhouse gas emissions, and of course unmanned aircraft systems applications in turfgrass.

Victor Villegas is the Technology & Media Support Coordinator for Oregon State University Extension. Victor is an avowed aero geek and has had a lifelong interest in aeronautics. He originally studied aviation in college and has experience flying full size aircraft as well as R/C airplanes, helicopters and drones.

Victor is a drone advocate, co-moderates the Unmanned Aircraft and Agriculture and the Unmanned Aircraft Operators Google+ communities and loves to “drone on” about UAS technology, information, news and research every chance he gets. Victor also has the unusual distinction of being the world’s number one composer of quirky drone songs, published under the moniker – DroneSinger. As the “Weird Al of Drones”, he uses humor to educate and bring attention to drone issues and culture, while promoting their safe and responsible use.