Interactive Crop Scout Training Available Online

February 14, 2018 2:32 PM
Blog Post

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach published the Field Crop Scouting book as an online learning tool for crop scouts and other ag professionals in Iowa. This interactive textbook allows individuals to acquire knowledge about multiple crop scouting topics to help create stronger crop production systems in Iowa. These include:

  • corn and soybean growth stages,
  • insect identification,
  • crop diseases,
  • crop disorders, 
  • weed identification,
  • how to properly scout a field and
  • other topics.

The Field Crop Scouting book was developed for crop scouts, agronomists, commodity groups and others working in the agriculture industry who wish to learn crop scouting basics and to obtain a certificate of successful completion. The certificate will provide verification to employers that they’ve been trained in the basic concepts of crop scouting. Web book tutorials contain guided practice to give the learners experience and confidence. Immediately after the guided tutorials, assessment of student comprehension is conducted to test understanding of concepts. 

The Field Crop Scouting book is $9.99 and can be purchased online at Bleep Blorp Books (bleepblorp.pub/store/1). The online book contains a wealth of information and provides:

  • high-resolution images,
  • videos,
  • slideshows,
  • interactive graphs and
  • animated figures.

Readers will be able to move easily from one topic to another and explore issues based on their interests. The learning tool can be accessed through any online browser or mobile device.  

The online book is sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Integrated Pest Management at Iowa State University and the United States Department for Agriculture.

The Field Crop Scouting interactive book can be accessed through common web browser software on tablets, smartphones and desktop and laptop computers.

The Field Crop Scouting interactive book can be accessed through common web browser software on tablets, smartphones and desktop and laptop computers. 

Example pages from the Field Crop Scouting interactive book. The book covers many topics including corn and soybean growth stages, insect identification, crop diseases and weed identification.

Example pages from the Field Crop Scouting interactive book. The book covers many topics including corn and soybean growth stages, insect identification, crop diseases and weed identification.

Example pages from the Field Crop Scouting interactive book. The book covers many topics including corn and soybean growth stages, insect identification, crop diseases and weed identification. 

Authors: 

Daren Mueller Professor

Daren Mueller is an associate professor and extension plant pathologist at Iowa State University. He is also the coordinator of the Iowa State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Daren received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996, and his master's degree a...

Adam Sisson Extension Specialist

Adam Sisson is an extension specialist with the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and a Certified Crop Adviser. Sisson focuses on the development of publications and other educational resources for farmers, agribusi...