AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a crop scout school on Wednesday, March 21, at the Iowa State University Northeast Research Farm near Nashua. The event, held at the farm’s Borlaug Learning Center, is an all-day class specially designed for growers and crop scouts with limited scouting experience (0-2 years). Live plants for weed identification and staging of corn and soybeans will be used for a hands-on learning experience in conjunction with a traditional lecture approach.
“The program enables participants to directly apply the information provided that day in fields this upcoming crop season,” said Terry Basol, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
The main topics for the day include corn and soybean growth and development, weed identification and herbicide injury, corn and soybean diseases and insect pest identification and management. Sign-in starts at 9 a.m. with the program running from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists Basol, Brian Lang, Meaghan Anderson and Rebecca Vittetoe will serve as course instructors.
The registration fee of $75 includes lunch, materials and refreshments for the day. To register, download the registration form and return it to the Borlaug Learning Center no later than March 17. Class size is limited to the first 30 paid registrants; consider registering early to secure a seat. For more information, contact Basol at 641-426-6801 or tlbasol@iastate.edu.
Directions to the Iowa State University Northeast Research Farm: From Nashua at the Jct. of Hwy 218 (Exit 220) and Co. Rd. B60, go west on B60 1.1 miles to Windfall Ave., then south 1 mile to 290th St., then east 0.2 miles to the farm.