Category: Youth

Crops, Youth

Youth Discover Crop Science

Brandy VanDeWalle

Are you interested in science, agriculture, plants, crops, insects, or diseases? If so, join our team of detectives to solve crop-related problems in the Crop Science Investigation (CSI) Big Red Camp! Become a detective while participating in hands-on sessions to learn about and increase your knowledge of crops, science, and agricultural careers. Youth detectives will interact with agronomic professionals across Nebraska to solve experiments in: nutrient management; managing disease, insect and weed problems; water management; crop production, and much more! Do you have what it takes to become a CSI detective?

There are a variety of careers related to plant sciences such as: Agricultural Communicator; Agronomist; Crop Consultant; Crop Insurance Adjuster; Educator; Co-op Manager; Farmer or Rancher; Farm Credit Banker; Field or Lab Researcher; Plant Breeder; Soil or Water Conservationist; Seed, Fertilizer, or Chemical Sales; or Technical Representative.

Scholarships are available in the amount of $300 to participants who enroll in the Crop Science focus area and submit the following:

  • A short (< 300 words) essay that highlights past crop or plant science related experience and/or interest in pursuing a degree in agronomy or plant-science related areas.
  • A brief essay (< 100 words) on the topic, “What do I hope to learn in the Crop Science Investigation camp?” application can be found at bigredcamps.unl.edu.

To apply for a scholarship, complete the 2012 Big Red Summer Academic Camp Scholarship Application and submit it along with your completed registration materials and a check for the full registration fee, postmarked by April 1, 2012. Winners will be notified by April 19 and will receive a refund when they arrive at camp this summer. Scholarships are for camp registration fees only and do not cover the cost of transportation or other expenses.

To register or download a camp brochure, visit BIGREDCAMPS.UNL.EDU. If you have questions about the camp or the required essays, please feel free to contact Brandy VanDeWalle at bvandewalle2@unl.edu or 402-759-3712.

Crops, Programming, Youth

Innovative Youth Corn Challenge

Brandy VanDeWalle

Projects are real life experiences that help 4-Hers learn to make sound decisions. Projects put the hands and mind to work. There are lots of opportunities for clubs to participate in community service projects and activities and it is important for clubs to participate in activities together as it builds teamwork and helps youth learn how to effectively accomplish a goal. A crops project that is also a contest is being piloted this year to provide youth the opportunity to think outside the box in producing an economical, but high yielding corn crop.  

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board have teamed up to offer the first Innovative Youth Corn Challenge contest. This team-oriented contest, open to 4-H members (age 10 & older as of Jan. 1st) or FFA members (in-school members), will guide youth through all aspects of corn production, as well as the agricultural careers related to corn production.  Youth will be challenged to implement a production practice different than normal to determine if they increased their yield. Economics and sustainability of the practice will also be considered. Yields, cropping history, and production information will be collected in the Corn Yield Challenge management summary. 

Goals of the contest are:achieve new, innovative, and economically feasible crop production methods to improve yields; provide research data for producers to implement in their operations; distribute data to corn producers, researchers, and agri-businesses for decision making purposes; introduce youth to a variety of agronomic professionals, including corn producers. 

Youth will work with an adult mentor throughout the process. Mentors can be 4-H leaders, extension faculty, ag teachers, or other qualified agronomy professionals.

Cash prizes and plaques will be given to the first, second, and third place teams. First place will receive $1,000, second place will receive $500, and third place will receive $250.  A data completion and innovation award will also be given.

To participate, youth must complete and return an entry form by March 1st to the Fillmore County Extension Office in Geneva, NE. For more information, contact Brandy VanDeWalle at bvandewalle2@unl.edu or 402.759.3712.

Crops, Youth

Agriculture Careers Galore

Brandy VanDeWalle

Recently, my three year old daughter had the opportunity to ride with my dad in a combine and loved it!  While this is usually an experience that rural kids have the opportunity to participate, several thoughts came to mind. First, I was somewhat saddened by the fact that my husband and I don’t have a farm and won’t be able to immerse her with all the joys and challenges that living on a farm provides: hauling irrigation pipe, digging thistles, feeding livestock, and also seeing calves born, driving tractors, playing on hay bales, etc.

Then I came to realize that even though my husband and I don’t actually farm, we have been blessed with careers in agriculture that allow us access to work with others in production agriculture, learn about cutting-edge technologies, work with great people and most importantly have the potential to exert a positive difference in the lives of others which is the reason we both majored in agricultural education.  (He is the Fillmore Central agriculture education instructor.)  The point I’m trying to make is that often times youth and even adults think that if you aren’t a farmer or rancher you aren’t involved in an agricultural career when in fact, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

It is interesting to note that less than 1 percent of Americans claim farming as an occupation, but there are approximately 22 million people who work in agriculture related fields. Agriculture is the nation’s largest employer! There are over 200 different careers one can choose from in the agricultural field alone.  With the diverse careers offered in agriculture, there is practically something for everyone, even if you don’t directly farm or ranch!  

I am proud to say that I work for UNL Extension because of the high quality educational programming we offer. In the agricultural area alone, we teach elementary youth through school enrichment, ag awareness programs, 4-H projects, and assist with many other youth programs such as FFA. Extension provides Crop Production Clinics, Soybean Management Field Days, ag risk management programming, the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Demonstration Network and many web-based resources such as CropWatch.unl.edu. Taking technical research from scientists and researchers and getting it into an applicable use into the hands of a producer, crop consultant, or rancher is why we are an “extension” of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Wherever agriculture is, Extension has a presence in some way, shape or form.

In Nebraska we are also fortunate to have the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) which offers 28 highly rated academic programs and two pre-professional programs – from Agribusiness to PGA Golf Management – something for everyone.   Its goal is to prepare students as leaders for a future in which demands on food, energy and water systems will challenge sustainability.

When I have my crop science investigation workshops with 4-H’ers we investigate how many careers in our local community are related to agriculture and they are always surprised on the huge impact agriculture has. So whether or not you are the person driving the combine or helping with harvest, there are numerous careers involved in agriculture and I hope you will encourage young people to consider an agricultural career.

Crops, Uncategorized, Youth

Youth CropWatch Page

Brandy VanDeWalle

Crops Webpage for Youth

For the last two years, I’ve been working to get a website with resources and lessons for 4-H leaders, extension staff, agricultural education instructors, and youth developed regarding crop production.  I’m happy to announce that this webpage is up and running and can be found at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth.

Youth in Crop Sciences Investigation (CSI) workshops learn about crop production and have the opportunity in investiage what pests might be present in the field.

The objective of this webpage is to provide a one spot stop with crop production information, some of it specific for Nebraska and some general crop information that can be used for a variety of locations. 

The webpage is divided into four main sections: crop and plant science facts, activities for youth, 4-H & FFA projects, and teaching activities & resources. “Crop and plant science facts” provides a short summary of crop statistics and other fun facts. “Activities for youth” has some fun crossword puzzles, word searches and other interactive activities for youth to participate. The 4-H and FFA project page has some of the opportunities available through 4-H and FFA such as Crop Science Investigation workshop series and other events related to crops. Finally, the “Teaching Activities and Resources” page currently has nine lessons available for anyone to download and teach hands-on activities to any age group, depending on how in depth they make the content.

More web-based interactive activities and lessons will be added to this webpage as time passes. I hope you will take some time to explore this webpage and encourage youth to consider a career in crop and plant sciences.