4-H & FFA Crop Scouting Contest is July 28
Youth from across Minnesota are invited to demonstrate their crop science skills at the 2025 Minnesota 4-H/FFA Crop Scouting Contest, scheduled for Monday, July 28, on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul Campus.
Organized by Minnesota 4-H, the contest is open to both 4-H and FFA members and provides a unique, hands-on opportunity to explore realworld agricultural careers. Participants will strengthen their knowledge in crop diagnostics, pest and disease identification, soil science, plant pathology, and more. Teams will rotate through field-based stations that mirror scenarios encountered by professional crop scouts and agronomists.
Crop scouting connects youth directly to future career pathways in agriculture and natural resources. The contest allows young people to take classroom learning into the field in a fun, engaging, and competitive format.
Registration is open now through June 15. Teams may include members from 4-H, FFA, or both, and can consist of youth from a single club or a partnership between multiple programs.
To support youth who may not have access to local coaching resources, Minnesota 4-H will offer a virtual training series throughout the summer to help teams prepare for contest day.
As a lead-up to the contest, Minnesota 4-H is also hosting five 4-H Plant Science Summer Field Days across the state:
• July 9 – Lamberton
• July 9 – Rosemount
• July 16 – Waseca
• July 22 – Chaska
• August 11 – Angora
These field days are designed to introduce youth to the world of plant science and crop scouting.
