William (Bill)
Iversen began working winter seasons with the ARS as a computer
assistant in 1990. He helped to install the initial computer network
cabling and equipment at the Sidney location. In addition to providing
computer support to the Sidney location, his duties included
implementation of the use of the then fledgling Global Positioning and
Geographic Information Systems for a leafy spurge biological control
program.
In 1997 Bill
was recruited as a Physical Science Technician for a site-specific
farming initiative under the direction of Dr. Gerry Anderson. This
position utilized skills in the integration of remote sensing, global
positioning, yield monitors and geographic information system technology
in the mapping of specific variables relating to crop yield and quality.
He has long
been interested in minimum tillage and in 1993 and 1994 received grants
from the Alternate Energy Resource Organization to study strip tillage
in sugar beets on his farm.
Iversen taught
electronics at the University of South Dakota/Springfield from 1976 to
1978 before electing to farm full time. He has owned and operated an
irrigated and dryland farm since 1978, growing sugar beets, dry beans,
corn, alfalfa, wheat and malting barley, as well as a cattle feedlot.
