UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension will hold an in-person workshop, “Agronomy Scout School,” aimed at providing crop scouts with an overview of the fundamentals necessary for scouting in corn, soybeans, forages and small grains. An online course also is available.

The workshop will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 5, at the Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building at 160 Curtin Road on Penn State’s University Park campus.

This event is designed for entry-level scouts who will work for crop consultants, industry agronomists, and 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 yield estimation.

Participants must register by March 31. 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 extension.psu.edu/scoutschool2025.

Extension also offers an online course, “Agronomy Scout School: Crop Scouting Fundamentals.”

This self-paced course contains readings, videos and practice questions that provide the fundamentals necessary to scout corn, soybean, forage and small grain crops. Participants will learn about scouting tools and equipment, and tips for before, during and after scouting a field. Videos show what common crop nutrient deficiencies look like. The course covers how to diagnosis nutrient deficiencies using scouting, plant sampling and soil testing. Attendees also will learn the basics of manure sampling and spreader calibration.

Videos also illustrate the different stages of growth for forages, corn, soybeans and small grains. Participants will learn how to calculate seeding rates, perform stand assessments, calculate stand populations, and estimate yields and the need for replanting.

This course also covers how to use an integrated pest management approach to keep pest populations in check. Participants will learn how to use key factors of appearance and behavior when identifying pests. Instructors also discuss insecticide overuse and resistance.

Videos show the signs and symptoms of small grain, corn, soybean and alfalfa diseases, as well as demonstrate how to sample and send plants for disease analysis.

In addition, participants will learn how to scout for weeds and create weed maps and other reports, as well as how to use scouting to plan weed management strategies.

Throughout the course, practice questions help participants review content. Upon passing a final quiz, participants can earn a certificate of completion.

More information about the online course is available on the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/scoutschool2025.