By Andi Anderson
Before the new school year began, high school students from across Illinois gathered in Champaign to demonstrate their crop scouting expertise.
These youth teams, representing Illinois 4-H and the Illinois Association FFA, competed in the Crop Scouting Competition at the University of Illinois Crop Sciences Research & Education Center.
The competition tested the students’ knowledge on key agronomy topics, including weeds, insects, diseases, crop growth stages, and integrated pest management.
Participants rotated through stations where they identified various crop challenges and management solutions. The top two teams would advance to represent Illinois in the regional competition in Minnesota.
Meagan Diss, the competition coordinator, emphasized the importance of this event in preparing future agricultural leaders. "This contest helps youth interested in agronomy and farming build a foundation for future careers in agriculture," she said.
The 2023 champions, Wesclin FFA, once again claimed the top spot, with Pontiac FFA finishing a close second. Both teams celebrated their achievements and continued their friendly rivalry, having consistently placed in the top two for the past three years.
On September 14, the two Illinois teams traveled to Minnesota to compete in the 2024 Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition.
Competing against teams from several states, Pontiac FFA tied for fourth place, while Wesclin FFA finished 13th. Both teams gained valuable experience from the contest and strengthened their teamwork skills.
Support from partners, including the University of Illinois Extension, Illinois 4-H, Illinois Soybean Association, and Illinois Certified Crop Adviser, has made participation in crop scouting competitions possible for Illinois youth teams.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle