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The device is a pocket PC, and by tapping on the screen, farmers can pinpoint where they are in their field and describe what is there. For example, they could stand at a water well, tap the screen and include information like how deep the well is, Campfield said.
They can layer that data with other information about that area, like facts about irrigation.
Once farmers buy the hand-held machines, they need a software package catered to the type of data collection they need.
Campfield said software packages cost about $300 each, with the option to buy upgrades each year for about $90.
Kime said learning the system isn’t too complicated, and during hands-on training farmers recognized that they didn’t need to be intimidated.
Campfield has been in the business eight years. At first, only large farms, with 500 acres or more, were buying into the technology. As prices dropped, more people bought systems.
Interest in GPS technology within York and Adams counties had been steady for about five years. Campfield has noticed a surge in interest during the last year.
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