Minnesota 4-H and FFA youth put their crop scouting abilities to the test

On Friday, July 26, the Minnesota 4-H and FFA Crop Scouting Competition brought together 70 youth from across the state to test their scouting abilities and understanding of crop management.

Held at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in St. Paul, this year's event had an impressive participation, with 15 teams competing in various challenges.

Participants engaged in hands-on activities, including identifying pest and disease problems, assessing crop health and recommending effective management practices. 

The competition not only provided an opportunity for practical learning but also highlighted the importance of precision agriculture and sustainable farming techniques.

The 4-H and FFA crop scouting competition is a way for youth to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world agricultural scenarios. It fosters critical thinking, teamwork and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the ag industry.

Minnesota 4-H will host national level competition 

High school students from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Nebraska will join Minnesota participants at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in St. Paul for the Regional 4-H and FFA Crop Scouting Competition on Saturday, Sept. 14. 

The competition will test the participants’ skills across eight stations: sprayer nozzles, corn and soybean growth stages, cover crop identification, small grain oat growth stage and management, weed identification, plant pathology, pesticide labels and insect identification. 

The event will be judged by University of Minnesota faculty and agronomy professionals from across the state.

Learn more about the crop scouting competition and 4-H plant science project.