Best Management Practice

Authors: Rashmi Sahu - Hemendra Kumar, Ph.D. - Andrew Ristvey - Luke Macaulay - Stanton Gill

This guide provides an overview of the requirements and procedures for obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate under FAA Part 107 and registering drones for legal operation in the United States. It explains eligibility criteria, knowledge test requirements, and the certification process for commercial small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operators. In addition, it summarizes key operational rules under Part 107, such as visual line-of-sight, altitude limitations, airspace authorization, and safety responsibilities. Designed for students, researchers, agricultural professionals, and new drone operators, this resource serves as a practical reference for understanding FAA compliance and promoting safe, responsible, and lawful drone operations. The guide supports the growing use of drones in applications such as precision agriculture, mapping, environmental monitoring, and aerial data collection. Authors: Rashmi Sahu, Dr. Hemendra Kumar, Dr. Andrew Ristvey, Dr. Luke Macaulay, and Stanton Gill; Title: Guide for FAA Part 107 Certification and Drone Registration (FS-2026-0803.

Authors: Sarah Hirsh

Soil health is the status of soil in terms of its ability to function and sustain life. It involves physical, chemical, and biological factors that are all interrelated. Soil organisms are critical for building good soil structure, ensuring air and water movements through the soil, decomposing organic materials, and cycling nutrients. A soil with good physical structure and with sufficient nutrient cycling will encourage increased numbers and diversity of soil organisms. When we manage soil with practices that minimize disturbance, maximize soil cover, maximize biodiversity, and maximize the presence of living roots, we can increase soil health, increasing the sustainability and profitability of agriculture. Author: Sarah Hirsh; Title: Soil Health (FS-2025-0754).