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Table of Contents
- NAAA Led AGDISP Modernization Project Awarded Funding from The Cotton Foundation
- NAAA Submits Comments to EPA Supporting Registration of New Bayer Fungicide
- 2026 Membership Renewal Now Open
- NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Oct. 9-11 in Flowood, MS (Next to Jackson)
- NAAA Offering Three Scholarship Programs in 2025; Deadline Sept. 8
NAAA Led AGDISP Modernization Project Awarded Funding from The Cotton Foundation
The AGDISP Modernization Project, led by NAAA, was recently awarded $35,000 in funding from The Cotton Foundation. The AGDISP Modernization Project’s goal is to update and improve the AGDISP (AGricultural DISPersion) software that is used by EPA to model the movement of spray in the environment after it has been released from a sprayer. AGDISP is the parent model of AgDRIFT, also used by EPA to model drift from applications. The Cotton Foundation funding came through a special project focused on priority research for the cotton industry. The AGDISP Modernization Project is essential for all growers – without accurate spray drift risk assessments for aerial, ground, and airblast applications, they face the possibility of losing access to the pesticides they rely on to protect their crops.
The AGDISP Modernization Project was established by NAAA to re-write the coding of the AGDISP model using a modern, well-supported computer language to enable improvements in model accuracy, expand the range of potential use cases, and to enable adaptation to new technologies. These improvements are essential to make the model accessible to other software developers so AGDISP can be further adapted to benefit all stakeholders across the pesticide industry. Other members of the AGDISP Modernization Project include pesticide manufacturers, grower groups, university scientists, and representatives from multiple federal agencies.
A modernized AGDISP will more accurately estimate off-target spray movement for all types of pesticide applications when EPA conducts ecological, endangered species, and human health risk assessments. It will also allow the drift reduction benefits offered by new application technology and techniques to be recognized by EPA, which in turn should result in less restrictive and more flexible application requirements on labels. A key feature of the modernized version of AGDISP is that it will continue to be available to the public and open source. This means the EPA can use it for risk assessments and companies developing new application technologies can incorporate it into their research.
The AGDISP Modernization Project is incredibly grateful to The Cotton Foundation for the funding. It is NAAA’s hope that other pesticide industry organizations and grower groups will join in supporting the project. A modernized AGDISP will ensure all pesticide application methods can continue to be used to protect crops grown in the U.S.
NAAA Submits Comments to EPA Supporting Registration of New Bayer Fungicide
NAAA submitted comments to the EPA this week supporting the registration of fluoxapiprolin, a new fungicide from Bayer Crop Sciences. Fluoxapiprolin will be labeled for use on Brassica head and stem vegetables, cucurbit vegetables, fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables, leaf petiole vegetables, small vine-climbing fruit, and tuberous and corm vegetables. The label for fluoxapiprolin will have aerial application on it. The new fungicide is safe for both humans and the environment, so no buffer zones are required for aerial applications. Click here to read NAAA’s comments.
2026 NAAA Membership Renewal Now Open
Thank you for your support as a 2025 member of NAAA. We request your continued support by renewing your NAAA membership for 2026 today. While you have been busy aiding farmers to produce a safe, affordable, and abundant supply of food, fiber, and bioenergy, NAAA has been busy making sure low-altitude airspace is safe for your aerial application business to operate, as well as ensuring that you have the pesticide products you need to do your job. Several of NAAA’s accomplishments this year, on your behalf and to ensure your success, include:
- NAAA continues to lobby the FAA to include NAAA language ensuring the safety of manned aircraft from drones operating beyond visual line of sight. In response to FAA’s proposed rule on the topic, NAAA will provide evidence-based comments to the FAA defending crewed aircraft’s right-of-way over drones in all circumstances.
- NAAA has defended the use of ensuring sound scientific methods and application practices in the registration and use of pesticides to key administration officials of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) commission via hands-on field demonstrations, White House meetings and comprehensive comments to MAHA officials.
- Since 2017, NAAA has submitted over 300 comments to the EPA to keep aerial application use on pesticide labels with great success, enabling you to keep a deep inventory of pesticide tools without unnecessary and burdensome restrictions.
- NAAA released an aerial applicator’s Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) to enhance agricultural aviation safety.
- NAAA has urged the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies to leave aircraft engines and related ag aviation parts free of tariffs.
- NAAA and NAAREF have grown the online education center, which includes educational videos and C-PAASS certification for aerial applicators who want to augment their safety and professionalism and be recognized and rewarded by their insurance providers, pesticide manufacturers, regulators, and customers. Learn more at education.agaviation.org.
- NAAA offers health and life insurance options for members. Visit agaviation.org/membership for details.
In 2026, your NAAA membership will continue to provide valuable benefits that support your business and that have protected the industry for nearly 60 years. Receive discounts for attending or exhibiting at the Ag Aviation Expo; access to the NAAA Membership Directory in both print and online formats to connect with fellow members; and stay informed through our publications, eNewsletters, social media updates, and in-depth online content at AgAviation.org. To renew, log in to your account at AgAviation.org and pay your 2026 membership invoice. Please make it a priority to renew your NAAA membership—the payoff far exceeds what you will spend in dues in the form of effective advocacy that reduces regulation and taxes and user fees affecting your aerial application business and trade association membership dues are tax deductible.
NAAA & NAAREF Board Meetings Oct. 9-11 in Flowood, MS (Next to Jackson)
The October 2025 NAAA & NAAREF Board and Committee meetings will take place in Jackson, Miss., the city of the National Agricultural Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame! Click here to view a schedule.
All meetings are open to NAAA members. If you are not a board or committee member but you’re interested in attending, please contact Lindsay Barber for more details.
Hotel Details
Sheraton Flowood – Refuge Hotel and Conference Center
2200 Refuge Blvd
Flowood, MS 39232
Hotel Phone: (601) 936-4550
Rate: $179/night plus tax.
Reservations: Book online here or call (601) 936-4550, provide the code of NAA. If you have issues booking a hotel room, please email Lindsay Barber with your arrival and departure dates.
Room Block Closes: Sept. 16, 2025. We cannot guarantee rates and room availability after this date.
NAAA Offering Three Scholarship Programs in 2025; Deadline Sept. 8
NAAA, with the support of several Allied members, is offering three scholarship programs in 2025, totaling $34,000 in scholarship funds. Whether you’re a student, an aspiring ag pilot or an ag pilot interested in turbine training, we have scholarship funds for you!
NAAA’s ‘Ag Wings of Tomorrow’ Scholarship
Five $5,000 scholarships are available for aspiring ag aviators who are sponsored by an NAAA Operator. The NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship is back again this year, thanks to the generous support of BASF and Thrush Aircraft. The scholarship program is offering $25,000 in aid to assist five aspiring ag pilots in their occupational journey. All funds are in U.S. dollars.
The goal of NAAA’s “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship Program is to strengthen the aerial application industry by helping operator members bring new pilots into the profession and help fund their training. Applicants must be sponsored by an NAAA operator member. Scholarship recipients may use the proceeds for flight training or aviation or ag-related coursework at a university, college, community college or other institution of higher learning. A stipend for a trainee in an NAAA operator-sponsored apprentice program is also permissible. The scholarship program is administered by NAAA and funded by educational grants from BASF and Thrush Aircraft.
Investing in aspiring ag aviators is a win-win for NAAA operator members and individuals seeking training funds to support their pursuit of becoming a professional ag pilot.
How to Apply & Deadline
To be considered for the 2025 scholarship, along with completing the two-part application, every applicant must submit:
- A letter of recommendation from the NAAA Operator member sponsoring the applicant.
- An essay of 250 words or fewer explaining why the applicant wants to pursue a career in agricultural aviation and how they would use NAAA’s “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship to further their education and training.
- A one-page résumé or list of activities detailing all agricultural and aviation experiences, education and training.
Applicants must apply using the online application process. The deadline is Sept. 8, 2025. Learn more about the 2025 NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship and review the instructions here.
While the applicant must be sponsored by an NAAA operator member, NAAA membership is not a prerequisite for applying for the “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship. Still, becoming an NAAA associate member is an excellent way for candidates to learn more about the industry and augment their training.
Restrictions: Applicants can apply for the NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship or the Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship, but not both within the same year.
NAAA operator members may only sponsor one NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship applicant a year. They can also sponsor a Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship applicant in the same year, but the applicants can’t be the same person applying for both scholarships in the same year.
Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship
Two $3,000 scholarships are available to eligible NAAA operator and pilot members for turbine transition training through the 2025 Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship. The NAAA scholarship program was established in 2023 and has been made possible thanks to a generous educational grant funded by Jim Mills of Turbines Inc., who established the scholarship in memory of Charles Stokes.
The Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship was created to provide training funds to agricultural pilots with a minimum of 150 hours of ag time for use at a turbine transition course or program. The scholarship must be used for turbine flight training at a qualified flight school or turbine training facility. All funds are in U.S. dollars.
Eligibility. Applicants must:
- Have a minimum of 150 hours of ag time.
- Be a pilot, affiliated operator or operator member of NAAA.
- Be sponsored by an NAAA operator member who will write a letter of recommendation on their behalf (operator applicants may not sponsor themselves; another NAAA operator member would need to sponsor them).
How to Apply & Deadline
Applicants must apply using the online application process. The deadline is Sept. 8, 2025. Further details and a link to the online application are available here.
Restrictions: Applicants may only apply for one NAAA pilot-training scholarship a year – either the Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship or the NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship, but not both within the same year.
NAAA operator members may only sponsor one Charles Stokes Memorial Turbine Training Scholarship annually. They can sponsor an NAAA “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” Scholarship applicant in the same year, but the applicants can’t be the same person applying for both scholarships.
NAAA Support Committee Scholarship
An additional scholarship opportunity for those involved in the agricultural aviation industry is the NAAA Support Committee. It includes a $2,000 scholarship award as the top prize, and Covington Aircraft Engines has generously sponsored a $1,000 scholarship for second prize. All funds are in U.S. dollars.
How to Apply & Deadline
Submissions must be an essay of at least 750 words or a 5-minute multimedia presentation. The deadline is Sept. 8, 2025. Learn more about the Support Committee Scholarship and review the instructions here.
2025 Essay Topic: Explain ADS-B and Its Uses. Discuss the Challenges and Benefits ADS-B Presents to Aerial Applicators in Your Area.
The 2025 Support Scholarship Contest is open to any individual sponsored by an NAAA member. The scholarship is not restricted to individuals pursuing a “flying career” and can be used toward any educational pursuit beyond high school (at any age). Previous winners are not eligible to compete.
Please contact NAAA at information@agaviation.org or (202) 546-5722 for clarification about any of the scholarship program requirements.
In Case You Missed Last Week’s NAAA eNewsletter
Click here for the August 21, 2025 eNewsletter to read:
- Global Pesticide Industry Drone Task Force Submits Drone Drift Study Data to EPA and Regulatory Agencies from Other Nations
- Air Tractor Returns to 2025 Farm Progress Show, Operators Welcome!
- Prayers for Pilots Hosting an Ag Pilot Appreciation Dinner on Sept. 20
- NAAA Ag Aviation Expo Attendee Registration Now Open