Engaging Youth in Crop Production
- Dig into some interesting facts about Nebraska crops.
- Learn how crops grow and factors that affect them.
Learn the science behind crops issues and how crop science relates to careers, through fun activities!
- Be savvy on crop growth, diseases, insects and weeds.
- Just have some fun and test your knowledge with interactive games.
- Learn about exciting career opportunities related to crop and plant science. The University of Nebraska offers great majors for anyone interested in anything plants. Check it out!
New Opportunity: 2024 Special Agronomy Project - Sugarbeets
Check out all the opportunities to learn through hands-on projects and workshops on:
- plant sciences,
- crop production,
- range management,
- entomology,
- Crop Science Investigation - integrated pest management.
Pick some of your own interesting projects and enter your project in your local county or state fair!
- 4-H Pick-a-Project Guide
- 4-H Crop Curriculum (ISU link)
- Nebraska 4-H Crop Production Sheet (for county & state fair crop projects)
- 4-H Range Management Curriculum
- 4-H Insectigator Curriculum
- 4-H Horticulture Curriculum
- 4-H Plant Science Contests
- Teaching Activities and Resources
Encourage youth to think more about agricultural careers with the help of educational resources for:
- 4-H Leaders
- Ag Teachers
- Extension Personnel
- Interested Parents/ Mentors
For more information on degree programs in agronomy or other plant science related careers:
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. See information and degree requirements.
- The College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) offers 28 programs of study and two pre-professional programs in agriculture.
Related Articles
2024 Tractor Safety Days Scheduled for May, June Across Nebraska
April 11, 2024
This annual event provides the training and testing necessary for Nebraska youth who require certification to perform duties on a farm, including a Hands-on Safety Day, and tractor and equipment safety training.
Mittelstet Talks Nebraska Ag Education with RFD-TV
November 17, 2023
In this RFD-TV segment, Tammy Mittelstet, CASNR statewide education and careers pathways coordinator, discusses the educational programs offered across the state to prepare K-12 students for ag-related careers.
Future Agronomists at Work
September 29, 2023
All Nebraska youth who participated in the 2023 Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition earned accolades for exhibiting their knowledge and skills in nine separate crop scouting exercises throughout the contest.
Nebraska Youth Crop Scouting Competition Results
August 17, 2023
Following their third place victory in 2022, the Colfax County 4-H #2 team claimed first place honors in this year's competition, securing the opportunity to compete at regionals in September.
10th Annual Youth Crop Scouting Competition Registration Open
May 4, 2023
The Aug. 2 competition will feature events on crop staging, patterns of crop injury, disease, insect and weed seedling identification, pesticide safety, nutrient disorders and herbicide injury.