Natural North LLC

05/31/2026

New drone technology is helping farmers save big on post-emergence applications.

W**d pressure maps created by drones can show exactly where w**ds are present across the field, allowing producers to apply chemical only where it is actually needed.

Instead of broadcasting across every acre, these maps help guide targeted applications that reduce waste, lower input costs, and limit unnecessary chemical use.

The attached map covers more than 300 acres and shows that approximately 55% of the field does not need to be sprayed. That means the producer could save around 45% of the chemical they would normally use on a full-field broadcast application.

That is real savings.

Drone-based w**d mapping can help farmers:

✅ Reduce chemical costs
✅ Avoid unnecessary applications
✅ Improve post-emergence spray decisions
✅ Protect profit margins
✅ Use technology to farm more efficiently

Depending on field conditions, w**d pressure, and application plans, savings can range from 30–70% on chemical inputs.

Call Natural North LLC today to schedule your w**d maps and start saving big on your post-emergence applications.

Better maps. Smarter applications. Bigger savings.

05/31/2026

Are you getting what you paid for in the field?

This image shows a drone-based soybean stand count across 300 acres. The field was planted at 140,000 seeds per acre, but the observed field average came in at 126,000 plants per acre.

That difference matters.

Traditionally, stand counts require someone to walk into the field and manually count small sample areas in different locations. While useful, those counts only represent a small portion of the field.

With drone-based stand counts, we can evaluate the entire field, giving producers a much clearer picture of actual emergence and seed performance.

This information can help determine whether seed germination and emergence are meeting what was promoted by the manufacturer or seed sales team, helping ensure you are getting your money’s worth.

Drone stand counts can also be valuable for:

✅ Verifying seed performance
✅ Supporting insurance claims
✅ Identifying poor emergence areas
✅ Comparing varieties or planting conditions
✅ Making more informed replant or management decisions

At the end of the day, better information leads to better decisions.

Natural North LLC is proud to bring advanced drone technology to farmers who want confidence in every acre.

Natural North LLC is a consulting and land management company offering sustainable solutions for natural resources and agriculture. Our team provides tailored solutions to help you reach your goals. Contact us today for a free consultation.

05/27/2026

Sometimes the moments that seem small are the ones that stay with us the longest.

A quiet view. A sunrise over the job site. The sound of the wind through the trees. The chance to work outside and be reminded that there is beauty all around us when we take the time to notice it.

It is easy to get caught up in the work, the schedule, and the next task ahead. But every once in a while, it is worth taking an extra second to look around and appreciate where we are.

Because those little moments add up to something much bigger.

05/23/2026

Proud moment for our team at Natural North 🌱

We’re incredibly grateful to play a role in the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project—one of the largest and most impactful infrastructure efforts in the region. Recently, we had the opportunity to seed areas impacted by construction that are prone to erosion, helping stabilize the soil and protect the landscape while work continues.

Being part of a multi-year, multi-billion dollar project like this is both humbling and exciting. It’s an honor to contribute to something that will benefit communities for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone involved for the opportunity—we’re proud to be on the ground (and in the air) supporting this effort.

05/21/2026

There are moments in the woods that remind you just how small you really are. While taking inventory for a woodland stewardship plan recently, we stumbled across something incredible deep in the timber — a mama bear and her two cubs high up in an old oak tree, swaying in the breeze.

It was one of the most amazing wildlife encounters I’ve ever experienced. Watching the cubs cling to the branches while their mother kept a careful eye on us was both beautiful and humbling. The moment quickly became even more real when mama bear wasted no time climbing down the tree to stand her ground and protect her young.

Experiences like this are a powerful reminder that we are visitors in their home. The forests we work to steward are filled with life, resilience, and wild beauty that deserve our respect. Truly an unforgettable moment in the Northwoods.

05/21/2026

Proud to see partnerships making a real impact in agriculture. We’re honored to work alongside TerraClear to help provide rock mapping services that support farmers like The Millennial Farmer and producers across our communities.

At Natural North, we’re committed to bringing innovative drone technology and precision solutions to the field to help farmers save time, reduce equipment wear, and improve efficiency. Excited to keep building the future of agriculture together.

Last day of corn planting, weather is gorgeous, and I broke a 28-cent plastic elbow that I don't have a spare of. A pretty significant bummer to end the day,...

04/21/2026

A reminder for the public: threatening a drone pilot, interfering with an active drone operation, or joking about shooting down a drone is not harmless.

Today, one of our pilots was aggressively approached by an armed bystander that intentionally blocked our drone from landing and made threats against the pilot. The drone operation was being conducted safely and legally, but the bystander was not informed by their network that operations were being conducted. Due to this incident and repeated jokes of shooting down our drones, we want to take a moment to outline the seriousness of drone operations.

Drones are aircraft. When someone distracts, threatens, rushes, or intimidates a pilot during flight, they can create serious safety risks for people, property, vehicles, and nearby operations. The FAA also states that shooting at a drone is illegal under federal law and can lead to FAA civil penalties and criminal charges.

Potential consequences can include local charges like assault, disorderly conduct, trespass, or damage to property. In Minnesota, a misdemeanor can mean up to 90 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine, a gross misdemeanor can mean up to $3,000 in fines, and felony-level conduct can carry more than a year in prison. Fifth-degree assault alone can apply when someone intentionally causes fear of immediate bodily harm.

In more serious cases, federal law can impose up to 5 years in prison for certain interference with air navigation, and up to 20 years for willfully damaging, disabling, or endangering an aircraft or its operation. In addition to a prison sentence, it can also carry a fine of $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for an organization.

If you have a concern about a drone, do not escalate the situation. Keep your distance and contact local authorities if needed.

Respect safety. Respect the operator. Respect the law.

04/10/2026

We’re excited to share that Natural North LLC will be at the Lake Stewardship Symposium on May 16, 2026 at Thumper Pond Resort in Ottertail City, where the event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and features table displays for lake property owners.

Stop by and connect with us about our landowner and lake owner services, including:

• Woodland stewardship plans
• Mosquito treatment
• Aerial imaging
• Lake and wetland aquatic plant management
• Aquatic habitat restoration services

If you own lake property or manage natural land, we would love to visit with you about practical ways to improve stewardship, protect water quality, and care for your property with confidence.

We look forward to seeing you there and talking about how Natural North can help support your land and lake goals.

https://ottertailcountycola.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Flyer-260315-1.pdf

03/05/2026

🚜 MN Farmers: New $15/acre opportunity for 2026–2027 (Biofertilizer + N efficiency)

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture just opened applications for its Biofertilizer Innovation and Efficiency Pilot Program—designed to help you try qualifying biofertilizers + reduce commercial nitrogen while keeping productivity front-and-center.

✅ What you can earn: $15 per enrolled acre
✅ What you do: Reduce your commercial N rate by the lesser of 15% or 30 lb N/acre when using a qualifying biofertilizer (registered with MDA; provides N via microbes like bacteria/fungi).
✅ Acreage range: 40 to 3,000 acres (MDA may cap per applicant depending on demand).
✅ Who’s eligible: Minnesota residents farming in participating counties (including Douglas, Pope, Stearns, Todd, Morrison, Otter Tail, Wadena, Swift, Kandiyohi, and many more).
⏳ Deadline: Applications opened March 2, 2026 and close May 1, 2026 (4:00 p.m.) — first-come, first-served (may close early if capacity fills).

🧾 How to apply (high level):

Register in MN SWIFT to get a vendor number

Submit the online application

📌 Heads up on timeline: Agreements must be signed by May 29, 2026, and payment comes after you submit documentation (due Nov. 30, 2026) verifying the N reduction + biofertilizer use.

If you’ve been looking for a low-risk way to trial biofertilizers + tighten N management, this is a solid window—especially since it’s first-come, first-served.

🛰️ Natural North can help you apply biofertilizers with drones

If you’re enrolling and need an efficient way to get product on the field, Natural North can support biofertilizer applications using drones—a safer, faster approach that can reduce downtime and help you cover acres efficiently.

✅ Precise, consistent coverage
✅ Quick mobilization when timing matters
✅ Reduced field traffic/compaction vs. traditional equipment
✅ Safer than manual or high-risk application methods in challenging areas

📩 Want to see if drone application fits your operation and products?
Message us or contact Natural North and we’ll walk through timing, logistics, compatibility, and costs to support your program acres.

03/02/2026

Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable farming. In my latest blog post, I dive into how conservation tillage, cover crops, and precision drone technology work together to enhance soil health and boost long-term farm productivity.

Whether you're looking to improve soil structure, increase organic matter, or reduce erosion, this guide covers the strategies that matter. Read the full post to learn how these practices can transform your operation.

https://www.naturalnorthllc.com/post/enhancing-soil-health-through-conservation-tillage-cover-crops-and-drones-for-sustainable-farming