Andy Stein always loved seafaring vessels, and his childhood dream was to become a Merchant Marine. At the age of 17, he applied to the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship and was accepted into their program. Andy was so excited and could hardly wait to graduate from high school. During his senior year, he took the initiative to get his physical and dental exams and to apply for a passport. He completed all the requirements and began making his plans to leave for Piney Point, Maryland.
Then one day, his father said something that changed the direction of his life: “Son, I need you on the farm to help haul hay.” Growing up on a farm in Modesto, Andy was the only son living at home. He knew the importance of helping his father with the family business.
A few years later, Andy decided to follow in his older brother’s footsteps and pursue a career as an ag pilot. What is an agricultural pilot? They are also referred to as crop dusters and aerial applicators. These pilots fly specially designed planes and helicopters to perform jobs within the farming industry. In 1993, Andy obtained his commercial pilot’s license and began his career in ag aviation. Initially, he flew airplanes, but in 2003, Andy began transitioning to helicopters. He has been strictly flying helicopters since 2014.
Andy has worked in aviation for the past 26 years and has logged over 19,000 hours of flying time. At the first sign of sunrise, before most of us are enjoying our first cup of coffee, Andy is airborne, well on his way to work.
Aerial application is a necessary part of food production. Airplanes and helicopters are used to apply fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides to crops that are too difficult to reach with ground equipment. A helicopter can accomplish three times as much work in the field as ground equipment, which means it uses less fuel, creates less pollution, and reduces the carbon footprint.
Last May, during the heavy rainstorms in California, Andy assisted cherry growers by using his helicopter to dry the cherries. He did this by flying the helicopter between 2 and 7 miles per hour above the treetops, generating enough airflow and turbulence to blow water off the fruit and leaves. If water is not quickly removed from cherries before the sun comes back out, there is a strong possibility the fruit will begin to crack, creating irreparable damage. Using a helicopter to do this process is very expensive for a grower, but it can be the difference between saving and losing his entire crop.
Andy is considered a “visual storyteller” because his aerial videos are often shared on the Facebook group called “My Job Depends on Ag” (MJDOA). This group has over 90,000 members representing agribusiness followers across the U.S. These videos often showcase the fertile San Joaquin Valley and the diverse crops grown throughout California. He will point out an almond orchard in bloom or the beautiful sky at sunrise, reminding us never to take nature for granted.
Being an ag pilot is a dangerous job and can be stressful even for the most experienced pilot. Safety is always the number one priority for Andy. Before he flies into a field, he will scan it for any obstacles. He alleviates his stress during this time by whistling or humming.
Inclement weather can affect visibility, and helicopter pilots need clear visibility to be aware of their surroundings. The Arial application requires flying at low altitude, carrying a heavy load, and moving in a regular pattern over fields. All of this is done while avoiding trees, power lines, and fences.
Andy is constantly on the lookout for portable weather towers used by growers in their fields. These towers are anywhere from 2 to 10 feet above the crop line with a diameter about the size of your thumb. There is no standard marking on these, making them undetectable from a helicopter.
The job of an ag pilot requires tremendous skill and precision, which is why training is extensive. They must have a commercial pilot license and an airman medical certificate. The state of California also requires new pilots to begin as 2-year apprentices under the direct supervision of a journeyman pilot. Knowledge of how to fly the aircraft is only a small part of what they need to know. The journeyman pilot supervises and trains the apprentice in chemical applications, timing, and the overall weather conditions required for their job. Experienced ag pilots are required to renew their licenses every 2 years and complete 20 hours of continuing education.
It did not take long for me to recognize what Andy values the most: 1) his family, 2) his love for “this great nation of ours,” and 3) his job as an Ag pilot.
When he is flying, Andy wears his own signature attire. It is a Roper-brand USA flag dress shirt and a USA flag helmet, which clearly reflect his strong sense of patriotism and love for his country.
Besides being a pilot, Andy is a proud father of four. He has two adult daughters living in Modesto. He has a 19-year-old daughter, Grace, who is a Private First Class in the United States Army. When Grace completed boot camp, Andy attended her graduation ceremony. He asked if he could sing the National Anthem, but the Sargent told him no. Andy sang the National Anthem anyway, a cappella, standing outside in the pouring rain.
Andy and his 16-year-old son, Gordon, share a love of restoring old trucks and cars together. Every July, they participate in the Modesto July 4th parade by riding in an original 1928 Ford Model B. This family tradition began in 1969 with Andy’s father. He purchased the classic car in 1965 for $35.00 and appropriately named it after John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath”. The car honors all the people who moved from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression to pursue work in agriculture. In 2019, The Grapes of Wrath celebrated its 50th year in the Modesto Independence Day parade.
Ag pilots are often referred to as “farmers in the sky”. Andy has strong agricultural knowledge, which is necessary to ensure the product he is spraying is applied correctly and safely, without harming animals or people or damaging their personal property. When he is not flying, Andy continues his family legacy by farming on land that was originally part of his grandfather’s dairy. He grows 9 acres of walnuts and 13 acres of alfalfa.
In addition, he has a small side business called SteinCo Creations. He does custom laser engravings. Andy has a strong appreciation for farm laborers who work on the ground. He has been known to land his helicopter when he is working nearby to distribute insulated coffee cups with the laser-engraved logo “My Job Depends on Ag” to them. It is his personal way of thanking each of them for their work. Andy calls this Operation Ranch Hand.
Last May, a member of the group MJDOA (My Job Depends on Ag) reached out on Facebook asking if anyone had a used pair of work boots for sale. The man explained that his boots were falling apart and were required for his job. He had a young family at home and could not afford a new pair. Andy quickly responded by asking, “What size do you wear?” Within a few hours, more MJDOA members rallied together, collecting enough money to purchase a pair of new boots, 2 new shirts, 2 new pairs of jeans, gloves, and an insulated coffee cup. The following day, Andy was working nearby and delivered them to the young man.
Aerial application has become a necessity for growers because helicopters can complete three times as much work in the field as ground equipment. Andy Stein is a well-trained, highly skilled agricultural pilot whose important job is unfamiliar to most people. He is a humble and unassuming man who loves his family, his country, and his job.
~Christine Connell