How An Agricultural Pilot Continues Father's Legacy

Duston Bailey is no stranger to the skies. His father was an agricultural pilot and Bailey and his cousin spent most of their childhood running around the airport that felt like a second home. While agricultural pilots are an integral part of growing and maintaining row crops, it is a very dangerous line of work. In February 2002, a tragedy occurred, and Bailey’s father lost his life in plane accident. Just a few years later, Bailey chose to continue his father’s legacy and became an ag pilot in Franklin Parish, Louisiana.

“(My dad) was kind of like my hero,” said Bailey. “I just wanted to do it too you know. Once you get into this, it’s kind of in your blood. You just love being around it and flying and working around the farmers. My grandfather farms and my dad would take care of his farm and fly. It’s just the family business.”

Bailey’s work as ag pilot connected him to Danny Ezell, a grain farmer in Madison Parish. Ezell understood the importance of an ag pilot’s work to produce a successful crop. 

“So many times the weather dictates what takes place and it’s always good to be able to call these guys,” said Ezell. “They can do so much so fast, and it’s helped us save a lot of time and save our crop.”

Taking to the skies to save crops on the ground is no easy task. It requires a team effort and expensive equipment. When Bailey was looking to buy his former mentor’s ag pilot business, he was frustrated by the lack of support from financial institutions. Ezell, a First South Farm Credit customer, put Bailey in contact with Ronnie Parker to discuss how First South could help Bailey achieve his dream.

“Mr. Ronnie came to meet with me at our location. We sat down with the plan that we had, and First South and Mr. Ronnie bent over backwards to help me,” said Bailey. “They believed in me when I probably shouldn’t have believed in myself. I get to do things that people only could dream of, and I’ve got a good group of people that love to do it with me.”