The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has joined a landmark, farmer-focused research initiative as a frontline sponsor, reinforcing its commitment to helping growers evaluate and shape the technologies transforming agriculture — including the use of drones for input application, scouting, and precision management.

Launched by Stratovation Group in partnership with sponsors, SweetWater Technologies, Agri Spray Drones and NCGA, and strategic partners, the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), and D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services, Inc. (DCLRS), the study will dig into how farmers perceive, adopt, and apply drone technologies — and what barriers stand in the way.

With NCGA now at the table, the voice of corn farmers will be front and center in this timely exploration of drone use in modern agriculture.

“Corn farmers are at the forefront of determining the value of new technologies, and drones are a great example of that,” said Russell Williams, chair of NCGA’s Production and Sustainability Action Team. “NCGA is proud to sponsor the survey, which will inform future use, marketing, and policy directions that will benefit agriculture.”

The sponsor and strategic partners represent a powerful cross-section of the broad ag tech ecosystem—uniting technology providers, service innovators, and farmer advocates to ensure the research is as practical as it is forward-looking.

Farmer Priorities Driving Innovation

By supporting the study, NCGA ensures the perspectives of corn producers — who manage some of the most advanced and scale-driven operations in the U.S. — are meaningfully represented in the national conversation around drone technology and its role in agricultural innovation.

“When major national organizations like NCGA step up, it signals that drone innovation is poised to make major inroads as a strategic tool of modern farming in the U.S.,” said Cam Camfield, CEO of Stratovation Group. “We’re also excited about the level of engagement this might produce with affiliated, state-based corn organizations. SweetWater Technologies, Agri Spray Drones and NCGA offer unique perspectives, yet there is a common goal: making sure farmers’ voices drive the next wave of drone integration.”

The research effort will capture in-depth feedback from row crop and specialty crop growers across the country. Sponsors receive exclusive access to the full data set, which can be used to guide policy discussions, product development, and customer engagement strategies.

Stratovation Group is continuing to engage additional sponsors who want to align with the research and gain early access to the results ahead of public distribution of top-level results later this year.