UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the first time since 2019, Penn State Extension will hold an in-person workshop titled “Agronomy Scout School,” aimed at providing crop scouts with an overview of the fundamentals necessary for scouting in corn, soybeans, forages and small grains.
The workshop will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building on Penn State’s University Park campus, 160 Curtin Road.
This event is designed for entry-level scouts who will work for crop consultants, industry agronomists or agricultural service providers throughout Pennsylvania or neighboring states. Organizers noted that “entry-level” refers to noncertified crop advisers with limited or no crop scouting experience. The workshop also could serve as a refresher for more experienced crop scouts and will include some hands-on sessions.
The workshop will cover:
— Introduction to crop scouting.
— Soil fertility basics and nutrient deficiencies.
— Alfalfa and grass growth and development.
— Corn, soybean and small grain growth and development.
— Insect, disease and weed identification.
— Nonpest crop response symptoms.
— Sampling techniques and reporting.
— Stand and population assessments and estimating yield.
Participants must register by March 27. The $75 registration fee covers lunch. Each participant will receive a copy of the Crop Scouting Field Guide, a magnifying hand lens and other essentials.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/
–Penn State Extension