A date has been set for the 2025 Minnesota 4-H/FFA Crop Scouting Challenge; begin forming your teams today!
4-H/FFA crop scouting registration opens on May 1 and the state event will take place on Monday, July 28, at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in St. Paul.
What is crop scouting?
Crop scouting is a way to inspect crops for potential outcomes and risks. Scouts are people who make systematic observations and predict crop production while considering factors such as weather, inputs like pesticides and herbicides, and risks such as disease and pests.
Who can be on a team?
Teams can be made up of youth in grades 6 and up from one or multiple counties. Another division will be offered to give youth in grades 3-5 an opportunity to participate.
No team? We have coaches ready to coach youth across Minnesota who don't have anyone else participating in their county in both the plant science project bowl and crop scouting challenge.
Contact your local Extension office if you want help finding a team.
Want to learn more?
If you're unsure what crop scouting is or want to gather a team, we encourage you to participate in virtual 4-H plant science trivia nights and the 4-H plant science project bowl on April 12.
Sign up for the Minnesota 4-H plant sciences listserv to receive quarterly updates on these programs.
Author: Anja Johnson, Extension educator