Over the past few years, Jonah Schmidt has perfected a balancing act between college courses, baseball practices, and running his business TopDown Drone Services. Last year, his efforts were recognized when he became a finalist in Northern State University’s Business Pitch Competition.
At TopDown Drone Services, Schmidt uses his drones as custom applicators in the agricultural world. By using drones, Schmidt can be more versatile and can help farmers get the jobs they need done.
“There so many more advantages, but that’s the main one, to work around the weather,” he said.
Schmidt’s drones can spray 120 acres an hour. The most common jobs he gets are applying herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Some farms get sprayed for mosquitos, and some cattle feed lots get sprayed for flies. Most jobs take about two or three hours to complete.
Schmidt is originally from Mitchell, South Dakota, and came to Northern State University to play baseball and study business administration and management. He also takes a few agriculture courses through South Dakota State University.
“Back in Mitchell, I knew a guy that did it, and I had been friends with him and talked about the process,” Schmidt said. “I realized that I wanted to do that, too.”
When he moved to Aberdeen, he decided to make the leap and start his business. He bought his own equipment and reached out to a few people, and after making a few good connections, his business took off. Last summer was his first summer working on his own.
“This fall was difficult going to practice and doing schoolwork,” he said. “But we figured it out and we got it done.”
Schmidt is the sole owner of his business, and he recently hired his first employee. The additional help will allow them to take on more jobs, and it also can carve time for a much-needed break every once in a while.
“For the most part, I’ve had good responses from the people I hear back from,” he said. “I had a lot of repeat customers this summer, and we’ve had some calls about this winter already.”
Schmidt said that he will work pretty much any job within 60 miles of Aberdeen, but he’s gone further for the right calls. He also occasionally does some work in Mitchell with his old connections.
“I want to keep expanding, and I hope to get more employees and buy more drones,” he said.
Schmidt’s drones can complete most spraying jobs in a couple of hours.
Q: How does your work reflect your passion?
A: My passion has always been working in the outdoors and agriculture, I have always been a hunting and fishing enthusiast, as well as always being around farm life as well. Working alongside farmers and ranchers who do everything in their power to feed America is one reason I love doing the job.
Q: What is something you love about the Aberdeen community?
A: Aberdeen supports better than any community I’ve been around, whether it’s a random farmer you meet who becomes a good friend just through some of the quick conversations you have, or the town supporting Northern. While going to Northern and playing sports at Northern, I have seen the community come together to support and get certain things done that needed to be done.
“This fall was difficult going to practice and doing schoolwork. But we figured it out and we got it done.” – Jonah Schmidt, NSU student
Q: What is one of your favorite places in Aberdeen?
A: One of my favorite places in Aberdeen is probably Runnings, you can’t go wrong looking through that store at all the things I enjoy to do. Another business I always enjoy my time at is just socializing with the guys at Pro Ag Supply. They always seem to enjoy every day that comes at them.
Q: Why is community involvement important to you?
A: Community involvement is so important to me because it’s the community that made me love this town to begin with, as well as the community that supported me through my business venture and athletic career.
Q: How can people support local businesses in Aberdeen?
A: Supporting local businesses is huge, especially small businesses. One purchase at a small business can keep their doors open, but one purchase at a big box brand business will always be overlooked and you’ll always just be “another person.” I have always loved supporting all the small businesses when buying gifts for different events throughout the year. I know how it makes me feel when farmers and ranchers use my business and keep me open, so I try to spread that as well as I can through Aberdeen as well. //
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