High-tech drone is donated to BMCC
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – (News release from BMCC) Blue Mountain Community College’s Precision Irrigated Agriculture program just received a major boost in the form of a donated DJI AGRAS T40 spraying drone— thanks to the generosity of Adam Shaw with Maverick Drone Systems.
The donation comes at the right time, as the spraying drone industry continues to grow across Eastern Oregon and the country. With agriculture shifting toward smarter, more efficient technologies, BMCC is focused on making sure students gain real-world experience with the tools shaping modern farming.
What makes this drone even more valuable to the program is that it isn’t brand-new — it’s disassembled. And that’s exactly what makes it such a great teaching tool.
“I’m beyond grateful for the generous donation of the DJI AGRAS T40 by Adam Shaw of Maverick Drone Systems,” said Drew Leggett, instructor of the Precision Irrigated Agriculture program at BMCC. “We couldn’t afford to bring this level of technology into the classroom for at least another couple of years. Now, not only can students see what it’s like to operate one of these drones, they get to learn how to take it apart, fix it, and really understand how it works from the inside out.”
The DJI AGRAS T40 is the second-largest spraying drone offered by DJI, and a full kit runs close to $27,000. Drones of this size are more heavily regulated by the FAA, especially when used for spraying pesticides. That means operators need to meet strict safety standards and be comfortable treating the drone much like they would a manned aircraft — with regular maintenance, detailed inspections, and a deep understanding of its systems. For students, this opens up an entirely new learning pathway — one that builds technical knowledge, professional confidence, and a deeper sense of responsibility for the equipment they’ll use in the field.
“Empowering students with hands-on, applicable skills they can directly apply in their professional careers has always been my mission,” said Adam Shaw, owner of Maverick Drone Systems. “Seeing BMCC provide this caliber of real-world learning is incredibly inspiring. It’s exactly the type of opportunity I wish I’d had access to when launching my own career in this industry.”
For BMCC, the donation is more than just a piece of equipment. It’s a way to give students a leg up in an industry that’s evolving fast. With access to the AGRAS T40, students will be better prepared for the jobs waiting for them after graduation right here in our own communities.
For more information about BMCC’s agriculture programs, visit: https://bluecc.edu/pathways-programs/agriculture-diesel-welding/.
