Compete to be Iowa’s top crop scout at the 2018 Crop Scouting Competition
Scouting competition open to students in Iowa
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Integrated Pest Management program is hosting its eighth annual Crop Scouting Competition for Iowa Youth on July 30 at the Iowa State University Field Extension Education Laboratory, 1928 240 St. To register, participants must submit a completed registration form by July 1.
High school students (those completing grades 9-12) from Iowa are invited to compete and showcase their crop scouting abilities in corn and soybean fields. The competition will be a one-day event, focused on outdoor learning. Youth will be able to get hands-on in the fields to scout for problems and learn about possible solutions and strategies. During the competition, participants will have the opportunity to interact with Iowa State University faculty, staff and agronomists as well as professionals in crop-related careers. Prizes will be awarded to the top four teams, while the top two teams have the opportunity to advance to the regional competition in Nebraska. All participants will learn, have fun and take home a free T-shirt.
Crop scouting and IPM are important tools for farmers to increase economic returns while reducing unintended environmental impacts. Equipping future farmers and agronomists with crop scouting skills and basic IPM information will help the next generation of farm decision-makers with crop production and land stewardship.
This event is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Independent Crop Consultants Association, ScoutPro, Iowa Certified Crop Advisors and Environmental Tillage Systems.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. followed by competition starting at 8:30 a.m. Lunch, beverages and snack swill be provided and the day will conclude at 2 p.m. To participate in the competition, a team of three to five youth and an adult coach is required. There is no cost to participate and reimbursement for travel expenses is available.
To learn more about the competition and to register, visit: https://www.ipm.iastate.edu/crop-scouting-competition-iowa-youth-2018 or contact Maya Hayslett at [email protected].
