NDSU is Hosting Summer Crop Scout Schools

By Scout Nelson

North Dakota State University Extension is organizing Junior Crop Scout School events this summer to help young people learn about crop science and agriculture. The one-day educational programs give youth hands on experience in agronomy and introduce them to careers connected to farming and crop production.

The schools are open to youth ages 12 to 18 and will take place at three locations across North Dakota. The first event is scheduled for June 25 at the Carrington Research Extension Center in Carrington. The second school will be held July 2 at Norsemen Hall in Portland, and the third event will take place Aug. 3 at the Hampden Cafe in Hampden.

Local NDSU Extension agents organize and host the events to provide students with practical learning opportunities in the field. Participants study important agricultural topics such as crop growth stages, weed identification, crop stand evaluation, insects, soil basics, and agronomy careers. The program also helps students better understand how healthy crops are managed during the growing season.

“This is an exciting chance for young people to get out in the field, literally, and experience what goes into growing crops and managing healthy fields,” says Traci Trostad, NDSU Extension agent in Nelson County and event co-coordinator.

Each school begins with registration at 8:45 a.m. and runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The cost is $10 per participant. Lunch and a crop scouting kit are included with registration. Families can choose the location that works best for them.

NDSU Extension encourages early registration for all events. The crop scout schools are supported by local NDSU Extension offices, agricultural organizations, and sponsors that continue promoting agricultural education for young people.

For the Carrington event, register at ndsu.ag/jrcrop26. For more information, contact Alicia Harstad at 701-845-8528 or alicia.harstad@ndsu.edu.

For the Portland event, register at ndsu.ag/jrcrop26port. For more information, contact Trostad at 701-247-2521 or traci.trostad@ndsu.edu.

For the Hampden event, register at ndsu.ag/jrcrop26ham. For more information, contact Lindsay Overmyer at 701-662-7027 or lindsay.overmyer@ndsu.edu.

Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university