MSU Extension Field Crops Scouting School Returns for Second Year

By Jenna Falor

Do you have interns or entry level scouts who could use some extra training on how to scout? Summer is a busy time and it's easy to throw interns out thinking they know the basics, but have they been trained? Do they know how to scout properly and when they should be looking for different things? Send them to the Michigan State University Extension second annual Field Crops Scouting School that extends during different parts of the growing season.

This year it will be held in the southwest part of the state at the Kellogg Biological Station located at 3700 E. Gull Lake Dr, Hickory Corners, MI 49060. The goal is that they will be scouting the pests they will be seeing in the field around that time. Keep in mind that no two seasons are the same.

Participants will move through this three-part training program in a cohort throughout the growing season. The sessions will be held:

May 14 - 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Basics covered: weed id, scouting patterns, nutrient deficiencies etc.

Wheat scouting: Staging wheat, wheat diseases, any nutrient deficiencies etc. in our wheat plots

June 18 - 8:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Disease scouting with Dr. Marty Chilvers, MSU Extension Plant Pathologist

July 16 - 8:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Scouting for insects (damage, egg masses, etc.) with Dr. Chris DiFonzo, MSU Extension Field Crops Entomologist

Throughout the three sessions MSU field crops educators with years of scouting experience will also be helping and teaching. The program is designed to provide hands-on in-season field scouting, so the sessions have been set up around the typical timing for different issues.

Last year 100% of participants who completed the post survey said they would recommend this program to their employers or fellow co-workers.

The cost for the scouting school is $150. This fee covers the cost of materials and food. Included in registration is a light breakfast all three days, lunch the first day and all sorts of reference materials as well as a fun scouting tool or two. Registration is limited to 30 individuals to keep a small cohort and group feel. This will allow for plenty of hands-on time and time talking to the Extension Educators and Specialists when scouting as well.

To register yourself or your company interns, click here. If you need help getting registered, please contact Shelly Sowles at sowles@msu.edu or 989-269-9949. If you have questions on the program content please reach out to Jenna Falor at falorjen@msu.edu or Nicolle Ritchie at ritchi67@msu.edu.