How It All Started

Fast Ag Air, formerly known as Thompson Farm Air of Estelline, SD, was established in March of 2016 and relocated to Watertown, SD. We provide aerial application services to South Dakota and the surrounding states. Thompson Farm Air had been in operation since 1993 before being purchased by current owners Brady and Valerie Fast. Brady had flown for prior owners, Scott and Donna Thompson. Scott and Donna continue to be great family friends and provide insight on operations.

Fast Ag Air is based out of Watertown, SD but also operates out of the Estelline, De Smet, and Webster sites. In 2022, Fasts purchased an additional site in Benson, MN.

Brady graduated from Iroquois, SD in 2003 and went on to serve in the US NAVY as an airplane mechanic. He served in two F/A 18 squadrons, VFA-125 and VFA 25. After 5 years of service with orders in hand to report to the "Blue Angels", Brady decided it was time to go home and pursue his Ag Pilot career. He went on to earn his pilot's license from Lake Area Tech in Watertown. Then he worked for Scott and Donna as a loader/dispatcher until he had enough hours to start spraying. He then worked as a pilot for Scott until taking over in 2016.

Additionally, Brady is a member of the NAAA (National Agricultural Aviation Association), SDAA (South Dakota Aviation Association), AOPA (Aircraft Owner's Pilot's Association), and Operation Safe pattern testing. Brady participates in pattern testing at minimum annually.