CURRENT RESEARCH

In January 2001, Dr. Evans assumed the position of Supervisory Agricultural Engineer, Research Leader and Facilities Coordinator of the Agricultural Systems Research Unit. Bob’s research directly addresses three broad, overlapping areas: 1) water conservation and improved on-farm water management; 2) environmental management and quality (with a recent emphasis on precision agriculture technologies); and, 3) multiple uses of irrigation systems and management alternatives to reduce chemical use.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining the USDA-ARS, Bob served as the Colorado state extension irrigation specialist located in Ft. Collins, CO in 1976 where he worked on statewide water management issues including on farm water management, scientific irrigation scheduling, groundwater pollution and agricultural salinity problems. In October 1980, he accepted a position at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) at Washington State University-Prosser as a research agricultural engineer. He was a tenured professor in the Biological Systems Engineering Department at Washington State University with a 100% research appointment although about 25% of his efforts were in extension and teaching activities. The focus of his research has been on soil/water conservation and improved water quality while enhancing the economic viability of agricultural enterprises. The internationally recognized research has primarily been focused on long-term, multi-disciplinary team research on irrigated farming systems. It emphasizes an integrated systems approach to solving present and future problems facing irrigated agriculture. Most of the research projects are long-term, in-depth interdisciplinary team research efforts from 3 to 10 years in duration. He has been at the forefront of knowledge in his interdisciplinary research in precision agriculture, a set of tools that production agriculture can profitably use to meet the environmental and economic challenges of the next century. He is considered one of the foremost authorities in the world on cold temperature protection of orchard and vineyard crops and has frequent national and international visitors and requests for presentations and workshops in the area.