Aerial applicators help farmers manage pests to keep crops healthy. BASF partners with the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) and presents “Ag Wings of Tomorrow” scholarships to support future aerial applicators. This year, Parker Gore of Cleveland, MS, and Emory Lobley of Dalhart, TX, receive scholarships of $5,000 each.
Gore holds a Bachelor of Science in commercial aviation from Delta State University and already completed approximately 115 hours of flight time. He has received a private pilot license, tailwheel endorsement, spin endorsement and ground training over the past two years and will continue his aviation training at the Ag Aviation School in Miller, MO.
Lobley received his degree in general business from Oklahoma Christian University. In addition to seven years of farming experience, he earned his private pilot certificate and completed 140 hours of flight time along with various endorsements. He plans to continue his aerial education with High Plains Aviation in Lubbock, TX.
“We understand our support of aerial applicators as an investment in both the future of agriculture and the success of growers across the United States,” said John Sabatka, Strategic Account Manager at BASF. “By partnering with NAAA to provide these scholarships, we are helping to ensure agricultural aviators are getting the training they need to safely and effectively support growers through aerial applications.”
NAAA has spent the last 52 years advocating for and supporting small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators. The organization represents nearly 1,900 members across 46 states, all of whom either use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and biofuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests or support the mission of aerial applicators.
“Our partnership with BASF is rooted in our shared commitment to advance agriculture through aviation and stewardship and recognize the critical role aerial applicators play in grower operations across the country,” said Andrew Moore, Executive Director of NAAA. “Together, since 2010, we’ve advanced education and opportunities for future aviators by awarding over $70,000 to 19 different recipients of our ‘Ag Wings of Tomorrow’ scholarships.”
