Jason Bongers grew up surrounded by precision agriculture on his family’s farm near Brainard, Nebraska, but he wanted to do more than just use the farm tools; he wanted to understand them.
“We’ve always used AMS equipment on the farm,” he says, “and I’ve been interested in learning how it all works.”
That curiosity sparked the beginning of Bongers’ Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), which he launched in spring 2024 after his family upgraded to new monitors and receivers. Jason took it upon himself to learn everything he could, diving into tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and YouTube videos until he became the go-to person for setting up and calibrating the equipment.
Now, Bongers is hands-on with every part of the process, from planting and spraying to harvest. He installs monitors and receivers, routes harnesses, and calibrates implements for each season. During the winter, he shifts to data management, cleaning up displays and organizing field data using the John Deere Operations Center online management system.
“I like everything tech-related, and precision ag is the perfect fit,” he says. “It’s all about making things more efficient and having better information to make decisions.”
With support from a Nebraska FFA Foundation SAE grant, Bongers expanded his project by purchasing a DJI Mini 3 drone. While the drone isn’t used for spraying, it gives him a birds-eye view of his fields and a new perspective on crop health and damage.
“It’s a great scouting tool,” he explains. “I can check on areas that are hard to reach on foot, and it’s a lot faster and more accurate. I’ve always thought drone technology would play a big role in agriculture, and now I’m getting firsthand experience with it.”
Bongers has also found creative ways to use the drone beyond crops. Because his family also raises cattle, he began flying over pastures to monitor grazing areas and check on livestock, bringing a new level of efficiency to his responsibilities.
With his Foundation grant award, he purchased the drone, a protective carrying case, and a memory card to store photos and videos. His long-term goal is to one day purchase a professional spray drone and start a custom application business. In the meantime, he’s using the Mini 3 to build skills in flight operation, image analysis, and field mapping, all while helping on the family farm.
Through FFA, Jason has found both support and inspiration. He hopes to continue expanding his SAE and exploring new tech along the way.
“FFA has given me so many opportunities,” he says. “From leadership development to hands-on experiences, it’s helped me prepare for the future I want.”
Bongers has plenty to keep him busy, but his commitment to learning new skills and staying ahead of the innovation curve shows that he’s prepared for tomorrow’s agricultural challenges!
