Clipboards in hand and boots on the ground, Nebraska’s next generation of agronomy professionals put their skills to the test at the 2025 Nebraska Youth Crop Scouting Competition. Held Aug. 5 at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, the event challenged four teams to diagnose crop issues, identify pests, and assess plant health — all while learning from Extension experts in the field. More than just a contest, it’s a launchpad for future ag leaders, offering hands-on experience, career connections, and a healthy dose of friendly competition.
Meet the Winners
- First place — Arlington FFA Chapter, Team #1: Aaron Fuchs, Wes Monke, Luke Sharp and Ethan Hilgenkamp (sponsor Kali Agler) took home $500.
- Second place — Colfax County 4-H: Justin Eisenmann, Josh Eisenmann Callen, Cody and Daphne Jedlicka (sponsors Korbin Kudera and Justin Zoucha) earned $250.
- Third place — Johnson County 4-H: Wesley Schmid, Cameron Werner, Sophia Schmid and Levis Othmer (coach Jon Schmid) received $100.
Also competing was Arlington FFA Team #2, with Grant Monke, Logan Hilgenkamp and Brody Stark.
From Competition to Career Paths
The Nebraska Youth Crop Scouting Competition is a recent national winner of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents’ Excellence in 4-H and Youth Programming Award. The program promotes youth engagement and career development while strengthening connections between students and the agricultural industry.
A 2024 long-term evaluation revealed:
- Over 80% of participants gained valuable career insights, improved pest identification skills, and increased confidence in agricultural practices.
- 27 former participants reported a stronger interest in agricultural careers and have enrolled in programs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL).
Coaches say the benefits go beyond the contest, creating meaningful industry connections and real career pathways for students. One shared, “This has been a great learning opportunity for students. They’ve developed relationships with industries in our community that helped us succeed and develop real-world skills. Three students secured jobs through the relationships they built, and two obtained summer jobs.”
Next Stop: Regionals
On Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, teams from Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota will face off at the regional competition hosted by Iowa State Extension. Nebraska will be represented by Colfax County 4-H and Arlington FFA.
The 2025 Nebraska Youth Crop Scouting Competition was sponsored by the Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association and the Nebraska Soybean Board in collaboration with Nebraska Extension.
For more information on the Youth Crop Scouting Competition, contact Brandy VanDeWalle or visit the website.
