Managing With Precision
Watford City high school senior Nichole Thompson can tell you exactly where she
lives—not three miles west and four miles south of Arnegard, but the exact longitude and latitude.
Nichole uses a Global Positioning System (GPS), a navigation system based on satellites
11,000 miles above the earth. Receivers on the ground translate the satellites' signals into
precise measures of latitude, longitude and elevation.
The GPS data also can be computerized using geographic information system (GIS)
software that allows users to manipulate, analyze and display information. GIS can answer "what if"
questions about different scenarios and situations.
Nichole, a member of the Banks Willing Workers 4-H Club, attended a 4-H camp featuring
GPS and GIS. The camp was partially financed by a North Dakota 4-H Foundation grant to
teach youth the concepts of GPS and GIS.
Nichole particularly enjoyed a scavenger hunt. "At night we were given a GPS system and
a flashlight. They gave us longitude and latitude readings which we had to find using a GPS receiver."
Nichole and others used their knowledge to help Carol Thompson, Watford City
assistant forester. "She taught us about mosquitos and the students helped her with GPS and GIS,"
says Marcia Hellandsaas, Extension agent in McKenzie and Dunn counties. "They drove around the city
with GPS units and marked mosquito breeding areas. It improved her records and gave her a
better handle on the amount of chemical to use."
Nichole joins a growing list of GPS and GIS users. NDSU's agricultural and biosystems
engineering department recently received a three-year $700,000 grant from NASA to encourage
the use of NASA products in solving problems in agriculture and natural resources. NDSU
extension agents, researchers and others will incorporate remote sensing technology, along with other
technology such as GIS and GPS, into management schemes.
"They will then be able to teach others," says John Nowatzki, NDSU extension
geospatial specialist who coordinates the grant. "As an example, a producer may be able to determine,
by looking at a computer screen, where he may need to apply more or less fertilizer on a field."
In three years, Nowatzki hopes to see the technologies used in at least 50 projects
involving precision farming, natural resource management, youth programs, economic development,
emergency management and education.
NDSU also offers a class on GIS. "Demand is high because most agriculture students would
like to have at least one class to teach them how to use the software," Nowatzki says.
"GIS and GPS skills are one of the top 10 job shortage skills in the country," according to
Joe Courneya, NDSU Extension Service 4-H youth educational design specialist. "Whether it be
food service, the health industry or agriculture, there's a role for GIS and GPS staff."
 Fredonia area farmer Daryl Rott is already sold. "I've got 40 different soil types," Rott
says. "Some land may be more suitable for corn or soybeans. I can look at my maps and tell you
exactly where those areas are."
He also uses GPS and GIS to vary chemical and fertilizer rates. "In some cases, instead of
using a quart, I can use a pint and a half. You're just as effective, and it's more environmentally sound."
Rott found out about GPS and GIS from Nowatzki at an NDSU booth at a convention.
"I thought, `Wow this is fabulous.'"
NDSU researchers also are working with GPS and GIS. "It's especially important as we look
at how land use changes from year to year and longer. This gives us a tool to try to interpret why
it's happening, come up with some questions and put forth ideas why that movement is occurring,"
says Dath Mita, a GIS/remote sensing specialist.
There are also economic development implications. "If you were interested in locating a
soybean processing plant, you could determine where most of the soybeans are grown," he explains.
Courneya says NDSU will continue to help North Dakotans use GPS and GIS systems.
"In a few years you'll see GPS and GIS as the norm in automobiles," he says.
For more information: John Nowatzki, 701-231-8213, jnowatzk@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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