The Geospatial Toolkit: A FieldBased Mapping Solution

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The Geospatial Toolkit A Field-Based Mapping
Solution

• Jennifer Davison, Dr. Barron Orr, Anne Thwaits,
  Dr. Phil Rasmussen, Amy HaysContact
  barron_at_email.arizona.edu

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What is the Geospatial Toolkit?

• The Geospatial Tool Kit (GTK) is a digital data
  collection and field mapping solution.
• It combines GPS (to identify location) and GIS
  (computerized mapping) through a handheld
  computer which can incorporate USGS aerial
  photography and even NASA satellite imagery.
• The system is relatively inexpensive (and accessible to those with little or no
  experience with the technology.
• More advanced and more application-specific
  solutions exist, but the GTK is excellent for
  education and ideal for the producer or natural
  resource manager who is just beginning to explore
  the potential of geospatial technology.

Garmin GPSmap 60
HP iPAQ pocket PC
StarPal HGIS software
TerraServer-USA website
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The Equipment Specifics

• The Geospatial Toolkit (GTK) has four components
• 1. GPS receiver, such as the Garmin GPSmap 60
• 200-400, depending on optional add-ins like a
  color screen
• 2. Hand-held computer, such as the HP iPAQ Pocket
  PC
• 300-400
• 3. GIS software, such as StarPal HGIS
• 250 with educational discount
• 4. Imagery and digital maps of your farm or
  ranch, for little or no cost
• TerraServerUSA http//www.terraserver-usa.com
• USDA Geospatial Data Gateway http//datagateway.n
  rcs.usda.gov/
• Foreign Agriculture Service/Crop Explorer
  http//www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer/
• Garmin MapSource USTOPO software
  http//www.garmin.com/cartography/
• System specifications can be found in The
  Geospatial Toolkit Fact Sheets on Digital Field
  Mapping on the NGTEN website http//geospatialext
  ension.org

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What can you do with it?

• Some Potential Applications
• Mark points of interest
• Map fence lines
• Calculate farm field areas
• Document spatially variable problems
• Map or navigate trails and track back
• Locate sampling sites, monitoring plots, key
  areas
• Map management zones
• Map invasive species and other weeds
• Document wildfire risk and fuels treatments
• Link to variable rate technology
• Link to planning tools

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How can you get started?

• Online?
• Check out http//geospatialextension.org/resources
  /cool-tools/the-geospatial-toolkit

• In your state?
• Begin by contacting Cooperative Extension or NRCS
  in your state. They will have resources and can
  also guide you to excellent community college and
  commercial training options.

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Geospatial Extension?!

• The National Geospatial Technology Extension
  Network is made up of Land Grant (Cooperative
  Extension and USDA), Sea Grant (NOAA) and/or
  Space Grant (NASA) Specialists.
• Our mission is to facilitate the practical use of
  Earth systems science and technology, and help
  meet the growing demand for a spatially literate
  workforce.
• How does NGTEN work?
• Like most Extension programs, it all starts with
  training the trainer
• In the first full week of October each year,
  Extension agents from across the U.S. converge on
  Salt Lake City for an intensive seminar in
  geospatial technologies.
• Those agents return to your communities call
  them up for more information, and if they have
  yet to attend, encourage them to join us!

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Geospatial Extension Specialists Nationwide

• North Dakota John Nowatzki
• Phone [phone]
• Email jnowatzk_at_ndsuext.nodak.edu
• Ohio Nathan Watermeier
• Phone [phone]
• Email watermeier.2_at_osu.edu
• Oklahoma May Yuan
• Phone [phone]
• Email myuan_at_ou.edu
• Rhode IslandGreg Bonynge
• Phone [phone]
• Email greg_at_edc.uri.edu
• Texas Amy E. Hays
• Phone [phone]
• Email ahays_at_tamu.edu
• Utah V. Philip Rasmussen
• Phone [phone]
• Email philr_at_ext.usu.edu
• Virginia John McGee

• Alabama Paul Mask
• Phone [phone]
• Email pmask_at_acesag.auburn.edu
• Arizona Barron Orr
• Phone [phone]
• Email barron_at_ag.arizona.edu
• Connecticut Sandy Prisloe
• Phone [phone]
• Email sandy.prisloe_at_uconn.edu
• Mississippi Scott A. Sampson
• Phone [phone]
• Email scotts_at_ext.msstate.edu
• Missouri Nathan Mattox
• Phone [phone]
• Email mattoxn_at_missouri.edu
• Nebraska Karisa Vlasek
• Phone [phone]
• Email kvlasek_at_mail.unomaha.edu
• New Hampshire Shane Bradt