Associations & Groups

Associations & Industry Groups

National and regional organizations that represent drone operators, agricultural aviators, and precision ag professionals. Membership provides access to regulatory advocacy, training resources, insurance programs, and industry networking. Several associations publish model regulations and interact directly with the FAA on rulemaking — making them essential contacts for operators navigating BVLOS, Part 137, and state licensing requirements.
OrganizationAcronymFocus AreaMembership Open ToKey BenefitsRelevant to Ag Drone Ops?Website
Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems InternationalAUVSICommercial UAS / Drone IndustryOperators, manufacturers, regulators, researchersAdvocacy, XPONENTIAL conference, career board, regulatory updatesYes — leading UAS trade groupauvsi.org
National Agricultural Aviation AssociationNAAAAerial application (manned + unmanned)Aerial applicators, ag pilots, UAS spray operatorsPart 137 guidance, insurance programs, lobbying, safety trainingYes — specifically aerial agnaaa.com
American Farm Bureau FederationAFBFBroad agriculture policyFarmers, ag businesses, allied industriesPolicy advocacy, state network access, ag innovation challenge grantsYes — farmer-facing partnerfb.org
Precision Agriculture Council / ASFMRAPACPrecision ag technologyAgronomists, consultants, appraisersTechnical education, certification, networkingYes — technology adoption sideasfmra.org
AUVSI State ChaptersAUVSI StateState-level UAS advocacyState operators and manufacturersLocal regulatory engagement, networking, demo eventsYes — state-level presenceauvsi.org/chapters
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association — Drone AdvisoryAOPAGeneral aviation + UAS policyPilots, UAS operatorsFAA interface, safety resources, legal fund, regulatory newsPartial — broad aviation focusaopa.org/drones
National Corn Growers AssociationNCGACorn production advocacyCorn farmers and allied suppliersTechnology program, precision ag resources, farmer networkPartial — commodity-specificncga.com
USA Rice FederationUSARFRice production and tradeRice farmers, millers, allied industriesExport advocacy, grower network, legislative updatesYes — key for Delta/Arkansas launchusarice.com
Arkansas Farm BureauARFBArkansas agriculture policyArkansas farmers and ag businessesState advocacy, Ag Innovation Challenge, local co-op networkYes — critical for AR launch regionarfb.com
Commercial UAV News / Community—Drone industry media + communityOperators, manufacturers, investorsNews, webinars, operator directory, industry reportsYescommercialuavnews.com