A pioneering drone technology program at Kentucky State University will enhance the monitoring and protection of the Commonwealth’s agricultural and natural resources.

Held July 14–24, the intensive 8-day UAS (unmanned aircraft system) Certification and Image Processing Workshop equipped 20 participants with advanced drone operation skills and AI-powered analysis techniques. The course included preparation for the FAA Part 107 commercial drone operator license.

The initiative brought together five professionals from the Kentucky Division of Water, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and the Oldham County Water District. They were joined by 15 graduate students from Kentucky State researching soil science, forestry, and the environment.

This collaboration ensures that cutting-edge drone technology will be deployed where it can make the greatest impact across the Commonwealth.

"The real-world applications we learned will help us monitor water quality more efficiently and respond to environmental challenges faster than ever before," said Kenny Ratliff of the Oldham County Water District & Drone Response Team. "I've picked up new tools that are really going to help me get to the finish line of my Part 107 certification and serve our community better."

Participants gained hands-on experience with state-of-the-art drone technologies, including:

  • Multispectral imaging to help farmers optimize crop yields and reduce environmental impact.
  • LiDAR mapping for detailed terrain analysis to support flood management and infrastructure planning.
  • AI-powered image processing to accelerate environmental monitoring and wildlife conservation.
  • Deep learning applications for automated analysis of agricultural and forestry data.

Training featured five live flight missions using professional-grade multispectral, LiDAR, and spray drone platforms, providing practical experience with industry-leading technologies.

These capabilities will enable more precise wildlife habitat mapping, improved water quality assessments, and better-informed conservation decisions.

"After learning about RTK and PPK workflows [methods for ultra-precise GPS mapping], we had the opportunity to fly a LiDAR-equipped drone using an auxiliary base station to enhance accuracy and data quality," said Daren Jones, a GIS Analyst with Kentucky Fish & Wildlife. "Seeing the technology in action helped tie together concepts that will transform how we monitor wildlife habitats."

The workshop's structure, designed for cumulative learning, resonated with participants.

"Each session built on the last in a way that made the learning experience feel seamless and intentional," said Ife Familusi, a Kentucky State staff member and participant. "Initially, I thought two weeks might be too long—but honestly, it now feels like a year wouldn't be enough to grasp everything this workshop offered."

Program leaders Jeremy Sandifer and Kabita Paudel headed an instructional team that included Dr. Demetrio Zourarakis, Dr. Manisha Parajuli, and guest speaker Arjun Rijal.

"Kentucky State University offers multiple opportunities through USDA, DOE, and NSF grant initiatives to students and stakeholders to apply spatial thinking and geospatial tools in addressing agricultural, forestry, water use, and environmental stewardship challenges," said Dr. Buddhi R. Gyawali, professor of geospatial applications and the project director. "This workshop demonstrates our commitment to expanding geospatial education and fostering diversity in the STEM workforce."

A graduation ceremony concluded the workshop, where all participants received certificates marking their readiness to deploy advanced drone technology in service of Kentucky communities.

Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy GAEC-MSI Award #DE-EM0005308 and the National Science Foundation Preparing the Pipeline of Next Generation STEM Professionals Award #HRD 2011917 made the training possible.

For more information about geospatial certificate programs at KSU: