About Mike Peterson
Brief Bio - Michael Petersen, Precision Tillage Agronomist-Orthman Mfg.
Soil, the stuff I know a little something about, -- is the rich resource which man plays with this medium more than most of all the natural resources on this earth and expects it to yield food, fiber and forage, clean-up or filter, provide bearing support for houses, bridges, skyscrapers, it is not wanted to move unless man manipulates it to do so, and we still cuss it as "Dirt". Being a soil scientist for 29 years and some 8 months in an official capacity with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (formally Soil Conservation Service) I am aware that what we do with seeds into this soil resource is vital to advancing Agriculture and growers profits. As an agronomist since 2003 that same concept rings true and even more as I work for Orthman Manufacturing, Inc. Born: Southeastern Nebraska October 7, 1950 town of Beatrice - sometime in the morning Reared to become a farmer, at least that was my dream. Attended schools then graduated from High School - Holdrege, Nebraska 1968 Went to Big Red Capital; Attended University Nebraska-Lincoln - graduated 1972 B.S. Soil Science Began graduate school UN-L but got married to my dear spouse January 16, 1971 and we needed to make a dollar or two to pay off school - Its off to work I go. Began a career with USDA-SCS as a Soil Scientist in Aurora, NE 1973 working on a soil survey in Merrick County. Became restless - transferred to Colorado 1974 as a soil scientist and worked from '74-'78, promoted to soil survey project leader in southeast Idaho, '78-81. In 1981 I returned to Greeley, Colorado as a soil scientist/specialist where I worked until March 2006. And here I am an agronomist with Orthman, my wife and I say life is good. During the years 1986 to 2006 I was intricately involved in the "Conservation Tillage Movement" carrying out field demonstrations and with severely limited funded research digging holes to look at how soil quality is affected by better soil management techniques. Everyone's nickels do count up. In 1996 I focused my efforts in Strip-Till/No-Till concepts and methods for irrigated growers in Eastern Colorado, western Kansas, and elsewhere. That has gotten me the tag of "Mr. Pits" for all of the hundreds of big holes I have excavated and collected data to tell you, the public what happens underground is nothing short of a miracle. In 2004 and 2005 I was selected from USDA to go to Serbia (former Yugoslavia) and take the strip-till concept to Eastern Europeans under the guise that drought was the problem they were facing. What an eye-opener! By the way it works over there too! Yes I have written professional papers, articles for magazines, delivered papers at numerous National Agronomy meetings and other places, made the front cover of FARM JOURNAL 2003, received some awards along the way, and authored 4 USDA-NRCS Soil Surveys in Colorado and Idaho. You do not need a list. Does that make me someone? I don't think so! Ask me about soils, not dirt, and we will have a good time of interaction. I am an intense bicyclist, gardener, dog lover, wildflower photographer, mountain climber, husband, friend, scientist and student of soil, a proud new grandfather to Oliver, and a born again child of God.
Orthman History
Orthman History
Located in the heart of American agriculture, Orthman Mfg,. Inc. Lexington, Nebraska serves a world wide agricultural marketplace. Founder, Henry Orthman first capitalized on the advancement in tractor design in 1965 by developing innovative attachments to improve major brand name cultivator versatility. Orthman's innovative products, born as a result of long-term relationships with America's agricultural producers, still today provide working solutions for the agricultural industry. Orthman Mfg., Inc. continues to foster the strong producer-manufacturer relationship the company was founded on 40 years ago. Orthman continually believes that in order to design and manufacture industry leading products, quality relationships must be present between the manufacturer, dealers, and end users. Advancing tractor design has continued to allow Orthman to capitalize by producing innovative, well built, specialized products. Orthman's broad North American OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) clientele utilize Orthman toolbars and guidance components on major manufacturer planters and harvesting equipment. Orthman tillage, grain handling, guidance, and earth moving equipment can be found throughout the world ranging from the cotton fields of Australia, the sugar cane fields of Columbia, the road construction in Denmark, and of course, all major agricultural markets throughout the United States. Orthman products are designed and manufactured to the pinnacle of structural integrity for which the company is well recognized. With a fundamental agronomic approach to provide solutions to producer challenges, Orthman is known for the financial benefit provided to the end users through the use of Orthman equipment. "We will continue to provide commitment to our customers, which the Orthman family ideals and traditions instilled decades ago. Orthman persists today as a family owned enterprise. We embrace the enduring challenge of keeping the industry that feeds the world efficient." -President and Owner John McCoy Orthman Manufacturing Inc. is a member of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA), as well as actively engaged in the future of the Specialty Ag Manufacturing Industry.
