By Andi Anderson
The 2026 Iowa Youth Crop Scouting Competition will take place on July 27 at the Field Extension Education Laboratory in Boone.
Organized by Iowa 4-H and the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management program, the event is open to students in grades 7 through 12 from across the state. Registration for the competition is open until July 1.
The competition focuses on building practical knowledge in crop scouting and integrated pest management. Students work in teams to prepare by learning how to identify pests and diseases, understand crop growth stages, and apply field scouting techniques.
The goal is to help youth develop skills that are useful for both education and future careers in agriculture.
“The competition challenges students to think critically, communicate effectively and work as a team while making informed decisions about crop management in field-based scenarios,” Hayslett said.
On the day of the event, teams rotate through several outdoor field stations located in different crop plots. At each station, participants answer questions and complete hands-on activities.
These stations are led by university faculty, staff, and agricultural professionals, giving students direct exposure to experts working in agronomy and crop science.
Topics covered during the competition include weed and insect identification, crop diseases, plant disorders, crop growth staging, cover crops, pesticide application, and sprayer calibration.
The activities are designed to test both knowledge and problem-solving skills in real-world situations.
“I would definitely recommend (the competition). You learn something different each year,” said participant Collin Harder from Pottawattamie County. “I’ve been doing this for five years and you always learn something new. (It’s) definitely fun to do.”
In addition to competition activities, students have opportunities to meet peers from across Iowa and enjoy a meal provided by Hickory Park. Teams earn points at each station, and the highest-scoring teams receive cash prizes. The top two teams advance to a regional competition in September, representing Iowa against teams from six other states.
ISU Extension and Outreach provides study guides, field resources, and coaching materials to help teams prepare.
Iowa 4-H also thanks Corteva Agriscience and several other agricultural organizations for supporting this educational program that helps young people build strong futures in agriculture.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Iowa, Education