Event Details
September 11, 2025
9:00AM – 12:00PM
Charles Keddy Farms, 982 Charles Keddy Rd, Lakeville, NS
Session Description
Join us for a dynamic multi-commodity drone demonstration event showcasing innovative ways drones can enhance your farming operations. This event will highlight practical applications of drones across multiple commodities including, but not limited to, aerial imagery (e.g., for Christmas tree management), riparian zone mapping, weed management, using drones for fertilizer application, using drones in the cattle and sheep sector, and upcoming changes to drone regulations and policies.
Guest Speakers
Fraser Macnab, Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, Christmas Trees Council of Nova Scotia
As part of his work on climate initiatives, Fraser led the development of the CTCNS drone program to introduce remote sensing technology to the sector.
Jeff Wentzell, Resilient Agricultural Landscape Coordinator, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, NSDA
Jeff brings a background in extension agriculture and geomatics from COGS and the Applied Geomatics Research Group at NSCC. In the RALP program, we are documenting the projects with the Geographic Information System (GIS) and using drone imagery to document changes over time on the landscape.
Adam Wile, Knowledge and Tech Transfer Specialist, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, NSDA
Adam has worked in the Agri-environmental field in Nova Scotia for 20 years. He combines an economic and environmental approach to finding solutions to farm challenges and is currently working towards improving environmental efficiencies of farming practices and building a farm level understanding of climate change adaptation techniques.
Dr. Matthew Vankoughnett, Lead Research Scientist, EATLab, NSCC
Dr. Mathew Vankoughnett expertise centers on plant stress physiology, sustainable farming practices and improving soil health. Matt is passionate about leveraging technology to help producers reduce input costs while enhancing environmental sustainability.
Charlie Turcotte, Owner, Valley Precision Agriculture
Charlie brings a wealth of experience to the agricultural sector, having farmed in Western Canada before establishing himself as a cranberry grower in the Annapolis Valley. As the owner of Valley Precision AG, Charlie has embraced drone technology to support and enhance his farm operations.
Robert Overmars, Dairy Farmer
Robert Overmars has owned a dairy farm since 2008. Robert is now in his third year using a DJI Mavic Multispectral drone and a DJI Agra T-40. Over the last three years, he has found new uses for his drones on his own farm and on other farms across the province, covering over 2000 acres so far with over 1000 acres covered just this season!
Agenda
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 9:00AM – 9:05AM (5 mins) Inside | Welcome and Introductions Brie Limkilde (Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, HNS) |
| 9:05AM – 9:25AM (20 mins) Inside | Remote Sensing in Christmas Trees: Tree Quality Fraser Macnab (Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, CTCNS) |
| 9:25AM – 9:45AM (20 mins) Inside | Interpreting Data from the Drone (Actionable Insights from Remote Sensing) Jeff Wentzell (RALP Coordinator, NSDA) and Adam Wile (Knowledge and Tech Transfer Specialist, NSDA) |
| 9:45AM – 10:05AM (20 mins) Inside | Remote Sensing in Christmas Trees: Tree Height Dr. Matthew Vankoughnett (Lead Research Scientist, EATLab, NSCC) |
| 10:05AM – 10:25AM (20 mins) Inside | Using Drones to Fertilize Crops and Drone Regulations Charlie Turcotte (Owner, Valley Precision AG) |
| 10:25AM – 10:45AM (20 mins) Outside | Adapting Drone Use for the Farm Robert Overmars (Dairy Farmer) |
| 10:45AM – 11:55AM (>1 hour) Outside | Drone Demos + Networking Time |
| 11:55AM – 12:00PM (5 mins) | Closing Remarks Brie Limkilde (Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, HNS) |
Registration
Registration is now closed.
This event is delivered in partnership with Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change through funding from the provincial Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth.
QUESTIONS?
Brieanna Limkilde
Brieanna@horticulturens.ca
902-300-8267
Stuart Downie
sdownie@perennia.ca
902-300-4331