ADI is Shaping the Future of Agricultural Aviation.

ADI is the voice of the agricultural drone industry on Capitol Hill. We work to educate law makers about our industry and what is needed to make sure American agricultural drones can help usher in the next generation of agricultural technology.

As we speak, Congress and the Federal agencies that regulate our airspace are quickly developing the next round of rules and regulations that control America’s airspace, including the airspace over America’s farms. ADI is dedicated to serving as the voice of American agricultural drones in Washington D.C. We have already developed significant inroads with Congressional leadership and other key policy makers to make sure that agricultural drones are taken into consideration and to help ensure that the rules and regulations that are already in place are improved to help the American agricultural drone industry thrive.

Without proactive, expert-led advocacy, we risk being subject to laws and regulations focused on other industries and use-cases, hampering our ability to emerge as a critical piece of the next-generation of agriculture.

ADI’s legislative efforts focus on:

  1. Promoting access to agricultural drones through preferential loans and grants for people who purchase American agricultural drones.

  2. Intelligently addressing the legitimate national security concerns around Chinese drones while protecting American farmers from bearing a disproportionate burden in that effort.

  3. Secure funding for research universities to support the fundamental research needed to make American agricultural drones more reliable and attract more investment into the space.

Credibility Through Expertise

The most critical difference ADI makes in communicating with law and policy makers is that we not only understand our issues, but we also understand the issues that influence our industry. ADI was founded after seeing efforts from well-intentioned people in the agricultural, as well as larger drone space, communicate with people in Washington in ways that made clear they did not understand the full suite of considerations that policy-makers have to weigh.

There is a great deal of work to be done to advance the agricultural drone industry. ADI and our advocacy team bring decades of advocacy experience and relationships on Capitol Hill to these issues. We make sure that our proposals and policy goals are thought out; considering and accounting for all of the factors outside the ag-drone industry that need to be factored into these pitches. This ensures that, when we engage with law and policy-makers, our proposals and policy goals are taken seriously.

Efficiency & Focus

Instead of dozens of companies duplicating efforts, ADI provides a coordinated and efficient advocacy strategy. We pool resources to fund research, develop policy positions, and maintain a consistent presence, ensuring the industry's priorities are always front and center. ADI allows law and policy makers to communicate with the industry in a clear and concise manner, and ensures that they know who to turn to when considering issues that may impact our industry.

The Power of a Unified Voice

When lawmakers hear from a dozen different companies, they hear a dozen different agendas and a collection of competing interests, not a clear vision for the industry. This creates a confusing narrative of self-interest, not collective progress. Legislators become hesitant to act, fearing they will pick "winners and losers." The result is inaction and policies that fail to address the needs of the entire agricultural drone ecosystem—from the manufacturer to the farmer in the field. A fractured voice is easily dismissed but a unified voice is impossible to ignore.

This is why ADI exists. We provide a single, neutral, and powerful voice for the entire agricultural drone ecosystem which law-makers can trust as representative of the largest cross-section of the industry as possible.

By speaking together through ADI, we ensure the conversation is about advancing the entire industry, creating a predictable and prosperous environment for everyone.

Our 2025 Legislative Priorities

ADI is actively working to advance policies that support the growth and adoption of agricultural drones. Here are the key bills we are focused on this session:

The Precision Agriculture Loan Act

  • Bill: H.R. 1234 / S. 567, "The Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2025"

  • ADI's Position: Support

  • Summary: This bill directs the FCC to create a task force to identify and eliminate gaps in broadband coverage in rural areas, ensuring farmers have the reliable connectivity needed to use precision agriculture technology like drones.

  • Why It Matters for Ag Drones:

    • Enables Data Transfer: Ensures drone-collected data can be uploaded and processed in real-time from the field.

    • Unlocks Advanced Operations: Reliable connectivity is critical for more advanced drone uses, including beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.

    • Expands Market Access: Opens up new markets for drone service providers in previously unconnected rural regions.

    • Boosts Farmer ROI: Helps farmers maximize the value and efficiency gains promised by drone technology.

  • Read the Full Text: [Hyperlinked Text]

  • (Button): [TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO SUPPORT THIS BILL]

The Farm Bill

The U.S. Farm Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation that shapes food and agriculture policy across the country. Passed roughly every five years, it is a large and complex law that covers a wide array of programs. The bill's primary goals are to ensure a stable and affordable food supply, support farmers, and conserve natural resources. It is organized into different sections called "titles," each addressing a specific area.

A significant portion of the Farm Bill's funding is dedicated to nutrition programs. For farmers, the bill provides crucial support through crop insurance, subsidies, and loan programs to help manage the risks of agriculture. It also funds conservation efforts, encouraging farmers to implement practices that protect soil and water quality. As a result, ADI pays careful attention to the Farm Bill as one of the primary vehicles for legislation we are working on and legislation which we champion.

The pending Farm Bill contains two sections we are paying close attention to and working hard to support: The Precision Agriculture Loan Program Act (PAL Act), which would offer loans up to $500,000.00 at a 2% interest rate and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act (SCMA Act) which would offer grants for 50% of the price of equipment used to grow specialty crops.