Youth & Youth Activities
Nebraska Extension Outreach for Ag Youth
Engaging Nebraska's youth in crop production.
Nebraska Extension offers a wide array of educational resources for young people interested in crop science and agriculture. On this page, you'll discover immersive activities, career exploration in plant sciences, and opportunities like 4-H and FFA projects. Youth can engage in hands-on learning through competitions, field days, and specialized agronomy projects. This page also features resources and teaching materials to support educators and parents in promoting agricultural careers.
Contact:
Brandy VanDeWalle
Extension Educator
(402) 759-3712
brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu
Faculty Bio
Crop Production for Youth
- Dig into some interesting facts about Nebraska crops.
- Learn how crops grow and factors that affect them.
- A practical course on optimizing soybean production.
Activities for Youth
Crop Activities
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!
Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
An annual Nebraska Extension youth program that promotes innovative crop production, shares research to improve yields, and supports youth education in corn production and agronomic careers, pairing them with mentors like extension educators and industry professionals.
Youth Crop Scouting Competition
Offered annually, this competition helps students learn crop scouting and integrated pest management (IPM) for corn and soybeans, gain career-relevant skills, and explore advanced crop scouting technologies.
Crop Projects
Nebraska 4-H & FFA Crop Projects
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
Special Agronomy Project
Nebraska Extension's Special Agronomy Project allows 4-H members to experience a crop that is grown, was grown, or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Each year, a new crop is chosen for youth to grow and study, with their project's growing season culminating in a presentation on their research at their local county fair and the Nebraska State Fair.
Crop Project Resources
Ag youth can also choose their own interesting projects to conduct and enter in their local county or state fair. See these resources for help:
- 4-H Pick-a-Project Guide
- 4-H Crop Curriculum (ISU link)
- Nebraska 4-H Crop Production Sheet (for county and 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
Agriculture in Education
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
Resources
- Discover Entomology Brochure
- 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.
