DeSantis Awards $276,069 for Polk State Drone Program
The Workforce Capitalization Grant will fund unmanned aircraft systems for agricultural programs through Polk State College's AgriPolk initiative.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Governor Ron DeSantis announced a $276,069 Workforce Capitalization Grant to Polk State College at a news conference at its JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales. The state funding will purchase several unmanned aircraft systems for agricultural education under the AgriPolk initiative.
Why it matters
The grant supports dual enrollment and certification pathways in drone technology for high school and college students interested in agricultural careers. It also connects students to a potential transfer route into University of Florida agricultural programs in Polk County.
The grant totals $276,069 from the Florida Department of Education and funds several unmanned aircraft systems for agricultural programs. The extraction does not state how many aircraft will be acquired or when they will be in use.
The players
Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis is the Governor of Florida who announced the state grant and has pursued workforce education initiatives across the state.
Polk State College
Polk State College is a public college in Florida's Polk County that offers associate degrees and workforce certifications, including its AgriPolk agricultural program.
The details
AgriPolk, launched in October 2025, includes a pathway to University of Florida agricultural programs through a partnership with the UF IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in Polk County. Polk State is also developing an associate in science degree in precision agriculture technology, which will go before the College District Board of Trustees for approval on Nov. 30.
Timeline
October 2025: Polk State launched the AgriPolk initiative.
Nov. 4, 2026: DeSantis announced the $276,069 grant at the Lake Wales news conference.
Nov. 30, 2026: The precision agriculture technology degree goes before the Board of Trustees for approval.
Season Trajectory
The grant is one award from Florida's Workforce Capitalization Grant program, which the state uses to fund targeted training in growing technical fields. Extending that funding to drone-based agriculture reflects a broader state push to align community college programs with emerging farm technology.
Students in Polk County can pursue dual enrollment credit and drone-related certifications at no grant-specified cost to them, according to the program's stated goals. The AgriPolk pathway also offers a route toward University of Florida agricultural degree programs.
The takeaway
Students interested in agriculture or drone technology should check whether their high school offers dual enrollment through Polk State's AgriPolk program. Pairing a precision agriculture credential with a University of Florida pathway can open a path to a four-year degree.
What happens next
The precision agriculture technology degree goes before the College District Board of Trustees for approval on Nov. 30.
Further reading
Explore more on Financial Aid to see how state grants like this one fund college training programs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Ledger.
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