Extension Communications Extension 4-H Youth Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3630 (515) 294-9915

2/26/04

Release: Immediate

Contacts:
Mary Clancy, ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development, 515-294-8617
Brenda Allen, ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development, 515-294-1567
Carol Ouverson, ISU Extension Continuing Education and Communication Services, 515-294-9640, couverso@iastate.edu

CSI: Crops Debuts at State 4-H Conference

AMES, Iowa--Crop crime scene investigators will uncover the hard facts behind crop losses as they attend the 2004 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference June 29 to July 1 on the Iowa State University campus.

The investigators, high school age youth registered for CSI: Crops, will use curriculum materials made possible by a grant from the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board and developed by ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development staff and ISU agronomy faculty, according to Brenda Allen, 4-H program specialist and conference coordinator.

The CSI: Crops track, new for 2004, will focus on such topics as soils, seed development, plant growth and development, conservation, pest management, variety selection and career opportunities. ISU agronomy faculty will teach the sessions.

At the conference, youth will use the latest electronic tools and DNA lab analysis to solve and document a crops crime scene. They will conduct a plant autopsy as they solve insect, disease, weed and growth problems of soybean and corn crops.

As CSI super sleuths, youth will get hands-on experience with DNA, GPS (Global Positioning Systems), GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), and ultrasound, among others. The plant detectives will work rain or shine in the field and graduate as ISU Crops Scene Investigators.

Youth will investigate crop crimes committed by pests, weeds and other perpetrators west of Ames at the ISU Field Extension Education Laboratory (FEEL) site.

"These CSI detectives also will have time to relax with friends and enjoy dances, banquets and games," said Mary Clancy, 4-H program specialist.
Interested youth should contact their county office of ISU Extension for more information about The Starting Line for Success, the 2004 conference. State registration deadline is May 15 with county deadlines two weeks earlier.

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