Local 4-H’ers participate in crop scouting state competition

BOONE — On July 25, youth from around the state enjoyed a fun day in the field at the Iowa Youth Crop Scouting Competition. Washington County 4-H sent two of the ten total teams of youth in grades 7-12 who traveled to the Field Extension Education Lab in Boone to test their integrated pest management skills through several tasks and challenges.

The event, hosted by the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management Program and Iowa 4-H Youth Development, provided youth with the opportunity to work with and learn from Iowa State faculty, staff, agronomists and professionals in crop-related careers. Washington County 4-H had two teams of youth who worked together May — July in preparation for the contest partially sponsored by Agriland FS.

“This spring and summer, the team was especially good at showing up, being attentive during meetings, and working together as a team,” said volunteer Coach Clara Schmitz. “We had great discussions about what was happening each week out in the countryside. Each team member showed an enthusiasm to participate and learn at every practice.”

Schmitz is a Washington County 4-H alum, Iowa State graduate and now a crop specialist for Agriland FS. “I volunteered to coach the Washington County crop scouting team because I would have really enjoyed having the opportunity to be a part of it when I was in 4-H. I also knew I wanted to be involved with 4-H again as a volunteer. It just so happened that my profession and this volunteer opportunity aligned perfectly,” said Schmitz.

Iowa State University faculty and staff, as well as industry professionals, served as judges at each of the eight field stations. Field stations focused on crop management of corn and soybeans and included insects, weeds, diseases, abiotic injury, pesticide use and sprayer calibration, cover crops, growth stages and crop morphology. Specialists tested each team's knowledge on the topic but also took the time to talk with the youth and answer questions.

This year, a station on general scouting was added to test knowledge about tools and strategies for scouting as well as modern technology for scouting, such as apps and unmanned aerial vehicles. The goal of this competition was to test and increase youth knowledge in pest identification, IPM and crop production, as well as demonstrate the many careers available in agriculture. Youth also enjoyed lunch and had the option to do a scheduled campus visit including learning about educational opportunities in the agronomy department with their undergraduate student services specialist.

In a post-competition survey, one youth commented they enjoy the event because they get to “learn more and more about crops so that someday when I can farm, I can do a better job at [the] upkeep of my crops than what I am doing now and change it up and try new things.”

A large part of the competition's success is the agricultural professionals sharing their knowledge and experience with the youth. Another youth said, “I enjoyed getting to work and interact with industry professionals and gain insight into how they identify and solve problems,” and “I liked the hands-on. We could talk to the judges and ask them any questions we wanted. They could show us examples in the fields and would talk through things with us that we got wrong in a way we could understand.”

Schmitz took the Washington County teams to Ames a day before the competition for team building, a tour of campus, last minute cram session and fun together.

“I enjoyed getting to know the team and seeing their curiosity for row crop production continue to grow,” she said.

The Crop Scouting team and competition is a great opportunity for youth to learn more about agriculture, meet new friends, and test their agronomy knowledge. Washington County 4-H looks to continue this hands-on learning opportunity in the 2025 spring season to continue to educate, grow, and have fun with the future leaders of agriculture. Contact the Washington County Extension Office with questions or to get involved as a volunteer, participant, or sponsor at 319-653-4811 or washington4h@iastate.edu