Elected as the 2019 president of the National Agricultural Aviation Association, Perry Hofer, of Doland, was recently featured in the cover story of the NAAA’s winter 2019 issue.
“To be NAAA President, the NAAA Nominating Committee looks for individuals with strong characteristics. One who is an industry advocate; someone tough, accomplished and industrious. It also takes someone selfless; who represents the good of the group over the individual. Perry Hofer, NAAA’s 2019 president, fits this mold.
He has a long history in his home state of South Dakota and nationally advocating for ag aviation safety and a fair, unburdened regulatory environment for the industry.
He has successfully diversified his family farming operation into farm services and aerial application services. He has a strong desire to give back to this industry that he believes has given him so much. His humility is manifested in the discomfort he shows in being interviewed for this cover story that focuses on him. He is also tough, but not because he dons a walrus mustache, with a baritone voice and John Wayne-esque intonations.
His toughness comes from a life-to-date of hard work in the open plains of the Midwest that have brought both business success and success volunteering for an industry he loves. That toughness is genetic, too. Knowing Perry’s background and beliefs is to understand why he was chosen to lead NAAA this year,” states the article.
With a Hutterian ancestry, family is very important to Hofer. He grew up on his family farm in Doland and still lives in the family farm house he grew up in.
He became interested in aviation after taking a plane ride with a local pilot when he was in fourth grade, according to the NAAA’s cover story. Martin Beving, an aerial applicator, later took Hofer under his wing and taught him agricultural flying.

“I believe I am alive today because of the good mentor Martin Beving teaching me to fly ag safely and how to do this job right,” said Hofer.
Hofer went on to become an applicator, treating winter wheat in Doland and northern crops in Aberdeen. He began Doland Aerial Spraying in 1996 and has continued to both fly and farm to this day.
For the full story on Perry Hofer, visit www.agaviation.org and click on the Winter 2019 issue of the Agricultural Aviation magazine.
The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), founded in 1966, represents approximately 1,900 members in 46 states. NAAA supports the interests of small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators who use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and bio-fuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests.Elected as the 2019 president of the National Agricultural Aviation Association, Perry Hofer, of Doland, was recently featured in the cover story of the NAAA’s winter 2019 issue.
“To be NAAA President, the NAAA Nominating Committee looks for individuals with strong characteristics. One who is an industry advocate; someone tough, accomplished and industrious. It also takes someone selfless; who represents the good of the group over the individual. Perry Hofer, NAAA’s 2019 president, fits this mold.
He has a long history in his home state of South Dakota and nationally advocating for ag aviation safety and a fair, unburdened regulatory environment for the industry.
He has successfully diversified his family farming operation into farm services and aerial application services. He has a strong desire to give back to this industry that he believes has given him so much. His humility is manifested in the discomfort he shows in being interviewed for this cover story that focuses on him. He is also tough, but not because he dons a walrus mustache, with a baritone voice and John Wayne-esque intonations.
His toughness comes from a life-to-date of hard work in the open plains of the Midwest that have brought both business success and success volunteering for an industry he loves. That toughness is genetic, too. Knowing Perry’s background and beliefs is to understand why he was chosen to lead NAAA this year,” states the article.
With a Hutterian ancestry, family is very important to Hofer. He grew up on his family farm in Doland and still lives in the family farm house he grew up in.
He became interested in aviation after taking a plane ride with a local pilot when he was in fourth grade, according to the NAAA’s cover story. Martin Beving, an aerial applicator, later took Hofer under his wing and taught him agricultural flying.
“I believe I am alive today because of the good mentor Martin Beving teaching me to fly ag safely and how to do this job right,” said Hofer.
Hofer went on to become an applicator, treating winter wheat in Doland and northern crops in Aberdeen. He began Doland Aerial Spraying in 1996 and has continued to both fly and farm to this day.
For the full story on Perry Hofer, visit www.agaviation.org and click on the Winter 2019 issue of the Agricultural Aviation magazine.
The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), founded in 1966, represents approximately 1,900 members in 46 states. NAAA supports the interests of small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators who use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and bio-fuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests.