Thomas Thomas

Aerial Application Effect on Local Economy

In 1789, Benjamin Franklin stated, "nothing is certain but death and taxes". In 2023, this statement is still absolutely true as people grow old and pass on and taxes are revenue for a local economy. Agricultural aviation provides many opportunities for local economy growth through job creation, increased farming profits, and food supply safety. 1his ag aviation led growth leads to more tax revenues and thus, a stronger local economy.

Ag aviation is a significant driver of job creation in a local economy. A National Agricultural Aviation Association industry survey finalized in 2019 showed the average agricultural spraying operation had 6.2 employees with two of those employees being pilots making $63,000/year. Other employees would include the owner/operator, office workers, and seasonal personnel. An ag spraying operation also has support industries such as chemical and fuel distribution companies. These industries have salespeople, material handlers, delivery personnel and office employees employed as a direct or indirect result of ag aviation related sales. To a lesser degree, jobs are also created in aircraft mechanics and insurance which also support ag aviation with their services. The shared characteristic amongst all these employed individuals is that they are all consumers and investors in a local economy. They are living and/or working in a local area purchasing groceries, fuel for their vehicles, and other necessities of life while paying taxes on their wages, their homes, their vehicles, and all those purchases. What starts from a single business entity of ag aviation is exponentially multiplied throughout a local economy by all the people involved.

A second way ag aviation can influence a local economy is through improved farm production yields. Farmers are always striving to improve their crop production and yields can be increased when ag aviation is used. The improved yields result in an increased income for their farmer customers. This is accomplished by ag aviation's ability to apply crop protection products efficiently, at the proper timing of the crop growth stage, and with less crop damage compared to use of normal farm equipment. Crop protection products include plant health fungicides, insecticides, and weed control for crop farmland and pasture. Plant health is improved by the killing of pathogens, pests, and nutrient/moisture stealing weeds. Ag aviation also works in other ways to help farmers with their crops. Fertilizer can be applied quickly to help the crops continue to grow strong and healthy. Late summer applications of cover crop seed aid in keeping the soil in good condition for future crops. As stated earlier, increased crop yie􀀂ds result in increased income for farmers which then benefits the local economy. According to a 2020 University of Nebraska-Lincoln agriculture economic impact report, agriculture accounts for 1/3 of Nebraska's economic output. The average income multiplier for every dollar created is 61 %. Applying this information to a cornfield that has an aerial applied fungicide, one can approximate the economic value created. Increased yield of eight bushels/acre at $4.80/bushel over 160 acres equals $6,144.00. Applying the 61% multiplier the economic value created in this example is approximately $10,000. When this scenario is spread over thousands of acres of crop producing farmland, the local economic impact quickly becomes incredibly large.

Finally, an affordable and safe food supply is critical to a local economy. Without crop protection products to control crop diseases and pests, crop yield could drop by 50%. 1 Lower yields would significantly increase the amount of money spent on food by the consumer. This higher cost would take money out of a local economy because consumers would be spending more of their nonessential dollars on food. Crop protection products and the professionals that apply them play a valuable role in keeping the food supply safe and plentiful and money in the local economy. Agricultural aviation creates jobs, increases farm production and profits, and ensures food supply safety. These three examples may seem small in comparison to other industries' influence but in the rural farming areas of the United States, agricultural aviation flies strong in local economies.

Charli Wells

On the Wings of Airplanes: How Ag Aviation Helps Local Economies Soar

I have watched green shoots poke out of the ground and corn line the undulations of the land. I have experienced farmers gathering from the field and have eaten food provided by earth-covered hands. I have attended a public school built proudly on old acreage and have been a part of the living, breathing community on Phelps County soil. But, as I reflect on what has made this life possible, I don’t look down. I look up. Agricultural aviation is a vital part of our Nebraska story. The aerial application industry benefits farmers, provides jobs, and gives back to communities with its mighty contributions to the local economy.

Since its beginning as crop dusting, agricultural aviation has evolved and continues to fuel the ag industry. Crop producers benefit immensely from the services aerial applicators provide, such as protective spraying and fertilizing. This treatment of food, fuel, and fiber with products to ward off insects and disease or to aid in growth is perhaps one of a farmer’s greatest assets. Applications of herbicide, pesticide, or fungicide allow a producer to cut down on crop loss and thus have a healthier and larger yield. Fertilizer cover can help enrich soil and plants from above and can contribute to producing more plants on the same amount of land. As often the most economic choice and as evidenced by higher yield, the aerial application industry is helping to put money in the hard-working pockets of farmers.

Just as a tailwind brings with it a speeding plane, ag aviation is ushering new lifeblood into my community in the form of seasonal work, job opportunities, and local businesses. With the arrival of spring and the growing season come seasonal pilots. These individuals, many of whom work as professional aerial applicators year-round, come to my small town from far-flung areas of the nation, such as Georgia, Texas, Minnesota, and North Dakota. While these pilots bring with them accents and ag diversity, they also bring with them billfolds and flying ability, both of which help better our local economy. And yet, ag aviation takes more than just pilots. My little town has many aerial application businesses, many of which have been family-owned for generations. These operations employ a wide variety of ag aviation personnel such as mixers, loaders, mechanics, crop advisors, and marketers. Each of these positions can be filled by a dedicated citizen of my home town, contributing to individual financial success and community economic success through the filling of local jobs with local people.

My community is built around and because of ag aviation. Holdrege is an agrarian community surrounded by crop fields of all kinds. Farming is our way of life. Just as crop production is strengthened through aerial application, my community is strengthened by the industry that makes this possible. Our local agriculture aviation operations are invested into the Holdrege and Phelps County community. These businesses sponsor and donate to many local organizations and activities, such as our FFA chapter, youth sports teams, community events, and the Holdrege Public Schools Foundation. Aerial application businesses are almost always among the first to give back economically to the community they love.

Agricultural aviation is a vital component of my town’s successful economy through its contribution to the financial success of farmers, local job market, and Holdrege community. As the great-granddaughter of a man who started one of Holdrege’s first aerial application businesses and one who grew up in the backseat of an airplane, I can attest to these things. It's in my blood. And with its evident contribution to Holdrege’s local economy, I can say agricultural aviation is in our blood.