'It's who I am and who I'm going to be': young farmer readies drone business to help area farmers
CUMBERLAND — Dallas Bazewicz has found himself immersed in agriculture his entire life.
'Agriculture has always been a part of who I am,' said Bazewicz in a recent interview. 'I went to school away from the farm and missed it, and ended up transferring.
'I've always known I've wanted a farm, and it's something I could never get away from. It's just one of those things where it's who I am and who I'm going to be.'
Bazewicz recalled his involvement with 4-H when he was young. While in the program he was involved in a horse project in Barron County with his grandfather.
'I kind of didn't have a choice to hop on a horse before I could walk,' he said with a laugh. 'That was first nature; walking came second, just about.'
He said that, during his ventures in 4-H, he learned about the market and self-promotion, with one project involving a sale of beef steer.
'I talked to local businesses, trying to get them to come to the sale at the fair and try to get them to buy my steer.'
That entrepreneurial spirit continued with Bazewicz, who currently farms part-time with his parents as well as farms on a small plot of land that he runs himself.
'I'm primarily helping my parents with their beef cattle operation and feeding, making hay, and doing a little bit of crop farming on the side. I'm trying to be a beginning farmer in a world where it's not too friendly for beginning farmers.'
While farm loss slowed in Wisconsin last year, the number of family farms suffered a quick decline between 2017 and 2022 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Studies by UW-Madison agricultural and applied economics professor Steve Deller also noted that small farms are now turning to off-farm employment to help pay bills, as their own farms do not generate sufficient income.
However, in the face of such difficulties, Bazewicz has faith that newer technologies can be a game-changer for those operating small farms.
'Personally, I think technology is going to be more important than ever,' he said. 'I think we are already seeing stuff like that being integrated [in things like] tractor and planter technologies.
'I feel that farmers are going to have to either adapt to some sorts of technologies or fight them, and that's just going to be a losing battle.'
Bazewicz is looking forward to starting his new business, Sun Valley Aerial Acres, a business that utilizes drone technology to aid farmers in everyday tasks. His current business focuses on custom chemical applications via drone work rather than traditional application methods.
'They're really gaining traction — drones five years ago compared to what they are today — it's astronomical with how fast the technology changes,' he explained. 'Drones just keep getting better and better and more efficient. It's a healthier way to go across the fields.'
Applying solutions from above presents advantages over traditional ground-based methods, as Bazewicz illustrated with the example of a heavy, water-filled ground rig. The significant weight of such vehicles can contribute to soil compaction, among other issues.
'You're running over less of your potential yields, there's less chances of getting stuck, you're not damaging the crops if everything goes right,' he said. 'It will help save the soil by not making the ground harder or making ruts if it's too wet. You're not putting more stress on the ground by driving across it.'
Beyond chemical application, Bazewicz mentioned further drone uses, such as assisting with mapping field borders, counting plants per acre, identifying weed locations, and others.
As he continues to farm on his parcel of land, he knows that he is not alone as a younger individual wanting to pursue his dreams of going into agriculture, and he hopes that others take notice as well.
'It's biased, but maybe don't always go to a big guy,' he said. 'Maybe think of giving younger farmers a chance.'
Dusty Bazewicz, Dallas Bazewicz's father, has seen his son's ambition and success, and stated his continued pride in everything that his son does.
'We are so proud of Dallas in addition to all of his accomplishments. We are proud of his heart, eagerness to help others, and strive to succeed,' said Dusty. 'Dallas is a country boy at heart, from being a grand champion horseman to an entrepreneur that wants to do his part to make sure agriculture stays strong.'
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