BOONE, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer the Field Crop Scout School Saturday, March 24, at the Field Extension Education Lab near Boone. The day-long course prepares beginning crop scouts to be successful in their field scouting work. Sessions on crop growth and development, weed, disease and insect identification, along with scouting methods and techniques are offered.
“The school provides a basic understanding of crop pests, how to identify them and field guides to help with identification,” said Warren Pierson, program specialist for the Field Extension Education Laboratory with ISU Extension and Outreach. “It’s very important to be able to identify insects, weeds and diseases to carry out a successful integrated pest management plan.”
Registration is limited to 100 participants to ensure small, interactive groups. Students will rotate through hands-on, interactive experiences led by ISU Extension and Outreach specialists. Corn and soybean plant samples will be used to give students the opportunity to work with live plants rather than pictures.
An optional agricultural worker pesticide safety training session, as outlined by the Worker Protection Standard, is offered following the school. Certifications of completion will be provided.
Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m., with sessions beginning at 9 a.m. and adjourning at 3:15 p.m. The optional agricultural worker pesticide safety training session will then continue until 4:20 p.m.
Online registration and downloadable registration forms are available at www.aep.iastate.edu/scout. Pre-registration is required and must be completed before midnight, March 16. The registration fee of $100 includes field guides, course handouts, lunch and refreshments. FEEL is located at 1928 240th Street, Boone. Additional information and directions are available at www.aep.iastate.edu/scout.
— Warren Pierson and Brent Pringnitz, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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