Youth Crop Scouting Competition

Youth Crop Scouting Competition

Nebraska Extension's Youth Crop Scouting Competition is an annual immersive event that provides students with an opportunity to learn the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) for corn and soybeans, while exploring emerging crop scouting technologies and gaining valuable experience for future careers in the ag industry.

The 2024 Competition is sponsored by Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association, Ward Laboratories Inc., Nebraska Soybean Board and UNL's Doctor of Plant Health Program.

 

Registration

2024 YCSC registration is closed. Check back soon for 2025 registration & details! 

Register

youth group

2024 Competition Winners

youth crop scouting competition first place 2024
First Place: Colfax County 4-H Team #2 

Second Place: Johnson County 4-H

Third Place: Colfax County 4-H Team #1


 

Contact:

Brandy VanDeWalle

Extension Educator

(402) 759-3712
brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu
Faculty Bio

Articles
Brandy VanDeWalle mugshot

About the Competition

Nebraska Extension strives to recruit the next generation of agronomy professionals by annually conducting the Nebraska Youth Crop Scouting Competition at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead. During the competition, youth have the opportunity interact with extension staff while scouting fields to identify weeds, diseases, insects and crop growth stages. This competition is a great experience for those wanting to work in many different fields of agriculture, providing a fun competitive environment where youth can receive hands-on learning about all aspects of crop scouting.

extension educator speaks to youth in field
youth crop scouting in field

Competition Info

Eligibility 

4-H members or FFA members who have completed fifth through 12th grades may participate.
Team coaches can be extension faculty/staff, ag teachers, agronomists, or interested community members.

Competition Activities
  • A team gaming quiz
  • Field stations via zoom (corn/soybean diseases, abiotic/biotic problems, soybean/corn insects, corn/soybean growth staging, weed identification, nutrient management, research, and general scouting)

Please note: The competition is limited to 10 teams. Register early to secure your spot! 

Awards

Cash prizes are awarded to the top three teams of the competition:

  • First place — $500
  • Second Place — $250
  • Third Place — $100
2024 competition second place photo
participants scouting field during competition

Preparing to Compete