Each year, thousands of people in the agricultural industry look forward to the New York Farm Show, the premier indoor agricultural event for the Northeastern United States, which has been held annually since 1985. For this year’s event, which took place from February 20 to 22, 2025, the cold, snowy weather did not stop people from enjoying the show. With six heated buildings, there was more than enough room for the over 400 vendors presenting at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY.

For those not invested in the industry, they may not realize just how much cutting-edge technology the agricultural industry influences. Some people falsely believe that farming and raising livestock are old-fashioned, primitive trades. However, to meet the demands of feeding a global population, the agricultural industry has had to heavily rely on technological advancements. The New York Farm Show’s manager, Scott Grigor, explained that much of the technology people use every day is influenced by innovations developed for agriculture. For example, the modern technology used in nearly every car being mass-produced today was originally tested on farm equipment like tractors.

Another example of emerging technology that is often tested in the agricultural industry is drones. Since farms are typically vast, open spaces with few people, they make an ideal setting for testing the limits of drone technology. At the same time, drones have proven to be invaluable tools for modern farming practices. In 2024, the agricultural industry represented $2.74 billion of the global $43 billion drone industry, a number that is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 40% over the next decade.

As farmers struggle to find enough workers while keeping up with the massive daily demands of farming, drones have stepped in to fill the gaps. The primary use of drones on farms is to spray approved chemicals on crops, such as pesticides or fertilizers in liquid or granular forms. Drones are also being used by farmers to collect data on crop health, map planting locations, monitor and herd livestock, scare off animals like deer or bears, pollinate, provide security, and more.

At the 2025 New York Farm Show, Mr. Grigor mentioned that drones once again made a significant impact. Two of the companies running booths at the event were Volatus Drones and Harvest Works. Volatus was originally founded as Empire Drone in 2018 out of Fulton, NY. In 2023, they merged with Volatus Aerospace, becoming Volatus Drones, now based in Syracuse, NY. The company provides drones and drone services to users such as crop sprayers, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency responders, utility line workers, and more. Volatus is one of the largest drone distributors in North America.

Volatus supplies and services drones made by DJI, Autel Robotics, Draganfly, and Wingtra, to name a few. At the New York Farm Show this year, Volatus showcased their latest acquisition, the DJI Agras T16. This drone has six rotors and is designed with a wide 6.5-meter liquid spreading range. The drone’s tank can hold up to 16 liters, with a spray rate of up to 4.8 liters per minute and eight sprinklers work perfectly with the downward airflow, resulting in an impressive spraying effect, as explained by DJI. The drone also has an updated radar system that allows it to operate in complex environments during both day and night.

Harvest Works provides a similar service to Volatus, though on a more “mom-and-pop” scale. The company was founded by Caleb Swartz, a second-generation farmer from Bloomsburg, PA. Seeking to make farming more efficient and effective, Mr. Swartz began researching drones. He opened the Northeast’s first XAG dealership, a company dedicated solely to agricultural drones. He also became a pioneer in Pennsylvania for using drones to spray agricultural chemicals. “Part of my drive now,” he says, “is to help equip farmers, growers, and applicators with this technology, and to educate them and support them as they discover the great benefits of agricultural drones.”

As technology continues to evolve, the agricultural industry will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of innovation. From drones to precision farming techniques, these advancements are helping farmers increase efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve crop yields. The New York Farm Show serves as a valuable platform to showcase how agriculture is embracing the future, and with each passing year, it’s clear that the industry is not just adapting but driving change on a global scale. As we look ahead, it’s exciting to imagine what new technologies will emerge, continuing to shape the way we feed and care for the world.

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