Southern University Ag Center Launches FAA Part 107 Drone Certification Program

Baton Rouge, La. - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center proudly launched its inaugural FAA Part 107 small, unmanned aircraft certification course on January 25, 2025 in Opelousas, La. This pioneering initiative aims to equip Louisiana youth with the skills and credentials necessary to legally operate drones for commercial purposes, opening doors to a range of professional opportunities in emerging industries.

The program was established under the leadership of Dr. Raquel Ayles, Program Leader of the SU Ag Center’s Youth Development Program, and is spearheaded by a distinguished team of FAA Part 107 certified pilots: Dr. Charity Schaffer, Youth Development Agent; Robert Easly, Jr., SU Ag Center’s Director of Advancement; and Ryan Sugulleh, Assistant Director of the SU Ag Center’s Communities of Color Network.

This cohort was established through a partnership with Hope for Opelousas Nonprofit Organization’s Executive Director Loren Carriere and through collaboration with Heather Bob, Community and Youth Outreach Specialist at the Ag Center’s Sustainable Agriculture Rural Development Institute (SARDI).

The certification program is the first initiative under Precision Agcademy, a program designed to teach precision agriculture, an innovative farming practice that utilizes technology to collect, analyze, and act on data to improve crop yields and resource management. The Precision Agcademy operates under the umbrella of the SU Ag Center's Youth Development Program.

Since the launch of the Center’s Drone Demo Daze, an outreach component of the Precision Agcademy in September 2024, nearly 200 students have been engaged across multiple Louisiana parishes, including St. Helena, Tangipahoa, East Baton Rouge, Orleans, and St. Landry. Through Drone Demo Daze, the program sparks youth interest in precision agriculture and the drone certification course. Additionally, the program has had the honor of serving two military veterans.

To support this initiative, more than $30,000 has been raised through private philanthropy, and $250,000 in federal funding has been awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). These investments ensure the sustainability and growth of the program, expanding access to drone technology training for Louisiana’s youth.

Expanding Career Pathways

The demand for certified drone pilots continues to rise across industries such as real estate, agriculture, emergency response, construction, and photography. By earning an FAA Part 107 certification, students will be equipped to take advantage of these opportunities, enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial potential.

The SU Ag Center looks forward to expanding the impact of this program, reaching more youth across the state and empowering them with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.

For additional information on the FAA Part 107 Drone Certification Program or to inquire about enrollment, please contact, Dr. Schaffer at charity_schaffer@suagcenter.com or call 225-222-4136.

SHARE

This website uses cookies to ensure site visitors get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies and Privacy Statement. To find out more, please visit Southern University's Privacy Statement.