Agriculture and Drone Safety Seminar

Colorado Corn encourages farmers and any others interested to attend its upcoming District 7 meeting in Springfield, where attendees will hear updates about the organization and issues impacting the agriculture industry.

There will also be a presentation from Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association officials, who are looking to inform ag producers on safety and the liabilities of operating drones on their farms and ranches.

Colorado Corn’s District 7 encompasses all of southeast Colorado. The District 7 meeting is set for Monday, Aug. 17, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Longhorn Steakhouse, located at 400 Main St. in Springfield.

The meal is on Colorado Corn at this meeting. No RSVP needed. In addition to Colorado Corn staff, representatives of the Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association will be on hand to discuss the “Think Before You Launch” campaign. This drone education and safety endeavor was created in Colorado and is now being launched nationally.

Drones are a new and exciting frontier in ag technology, as the small and relatively inexpensive unmanned vehicles could have a huge impact on farmers, by transmitting detailed information about crops to combines and sprayers, directing them very precisely to problem spots, and cutting down on water and other inputs farmers use in certain areas. However, it’s also a technology with potentially devastating consequences for farmers and ranchers if, for example, a drone they’re operating causes an accident – such as a collision with an aerial applicator or other manned aircraft. Education is critical. Learn more at http://www.thinkbeforeyoulaunch.org/.

At its District 7 meeting, Colorado Corn will also be holding board member nominations.

Nominations will be accepted for the at-large director and alternate positions on the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee (CCAC) board, which oversees how Colorado’s corn check-off dollars are spent on market development, research, outreach, education and other various endeavors. Nominations for at-large positions can be made at any of the district meetings. CCAC board members serve three-year terms, and up to two consecutive terms. After nominations for CCAC positions take place at district meetings, appointment to the board would come from Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Don Brown on Oct. 1, 2015.

For more information about the District 7 meeting, call the Colorado Corn office at (970) 351-8201, or email us at info@coloradocorn.com.