The Youth Crop Scouting Competition is an educational program designed to strengthen youth knowledge of crop production, IPM and agronomic career opportunities. The annual competition engages middle and high school youth through hands-on learning experiences and real-world crop scouting scenarios. Winning youth teams in Nebraska, along with their adult supervisors, advance to a six-state regional competition. During the event, teams rotate through various in-field stations where they are challenged to identify local weeds, insects and diseases, as well as accurately assess crop growth stages for corn and soybeans. Beyond the competition, participants have the opportunity to network directly with Nebraska Extension educators and industry professionals, making the event a valuable stepping stone for future agricultural careers.