MSU Field Crops Scouting School Back

By Andi Anderson

Michigan State University Extension is hosting the third annual Field Crops Scouting School to provide practical training for interns and entry level crop scouts. The program will begin on May 21 and will be held at the MSU Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

The Field Crops Scouting School is designed to build strong scouting skills through hands-on and in field learning. The training covers the basics of crop scouting, while also sharing tips and methods used by experienced professionals. Feedback from previous years shows strong satisfaction, with all surveyed participants saying they would recommend the program to employers or coworkers.

The school is structured as a three-part program spread across the growing season. This approach allows participants to receive timely training based on what is actively occurring in crop fields. Because each growing season is different, multiple sessions help participants understand changing crop conditions and pest pressures.

Participants move through the program as a cohort, allowing for shared learning and strong interaction with instructors. The sessions are led by MSU Extension field crops educators and specialists with extensive scouting experience.

The first session on May 21 runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch. This session covers fundamental skills such as weed identification, scouting patterns, and nutrient deficiency recognition. It also includes wheat scouting in research plots, focusing on crop growth stages, diseases, and nutrient issues.

The second session takes place on June 18 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and focuses on disease scouting in corn, soybeans, and wheat. Instruction is provided by Marty Chilvers, PhD, MSU Extension Plant Pathologist.

The final session on July 16, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., continues disease scouting and adds insect scouting. Participants learn to identify insect damage and egg masses with guidance from Chris DiFonzo, PhD, MSU Extension field crops entomologist.

The cost of the program is $150. This fee includes snacks, lunch on the first day, reference materials, and scouting tools. Registration is limited to thirty participants to ensure hands-on experiences and direct interaction with instructors throughout the program.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu