Flying Legal 101: Missouri NRUP Certification & 2026 Ag Drone Regulations Explained

On February 25th from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, approximately 30 agricultural drone operators and industry professionals gathered at the MU Southwest Research, Extension & Education Center in Mt. Vernon, Missouri for an in-depth certification and compliance event: Flying Legal 101 – NRUP Certification & Demo Day.

Hosted by Monarch Drone Solutions, in partnership with MU Extension and Corteva Agriscience, this event focused on preparing Missouri agricultural drone operators for updated NRUP regulations effective January 1, 2025.

If your company has an individual with their commercial license, & "support" personnel who are also involved in mixing and applying the restricted-use pesticides with a drone in Missouri—this applies to you. NRUPs must work under direct supervision of a licensed applicator and follow all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107/137 regulations.