43: Preston Cave--A Farm Kid Buys a $40,000 Drone And Builds a Business

We sit down with North Carolina farmer and drone applicator Preston Cave to hear how a $40,000 leap turned into PAC Aerial Applications and a new way to help growers get more done with less time. We also talk through the hard parts of getting legal, working safely, serving western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, and staying grounded in faith and purpose. • Preston’s background on a tobacco farm and how it builds work ethic • Transition from cattle and grass-fed beef to custom drone application • Buying the first ag drone and learning to fly with real stakes • What these ag drones can carry and why size changes the job • FAA requirements and North Carolina pesticide licensing for drone spraying • Handling restricted airspace and setting safe operating limits • Mapping fields while spraying and planning around obstacles • Year-round services from cover crop seeding to frost protection • The moment a mountain sunrise reframes purpose and direction • Hurricane Helene relief work and delivering supplies with drones Remember to subscribe and follow us on Instagram. Have a question or a topic idea, let us know and join the conversation. Find us on Instagram @raisedonthefarm Questions? Email us at [email protected]