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.
Now in its 11th year, the 2025 Competition is sponsored by Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association, Ward Laboratories Inc., Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Extension.
Registration
The 2025 competition has concluded; registration for 2026 will open next summer. We hope to see you there!
2025 Competition Winners
First Place: Arlington FFA Chapter Team #1
Second Place: Colfax County 4-H
Third Place: Johnson County 4-H
Read about the 2025 Competition
Contact:
Brandy VanDeWalle
Extension Educator
(402) 759-3712
brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu
Faculty Bio
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.
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
Preparing to Compete
- Program Details and Registration Form (PDF)
- New in 2024, youth can "Ask An Agronomist" questions about weeds, diseases, insects and other general scouting information to help them prepare for the competition. View the recording
- Watch an overview of daily events at the Crop Scouting Contest