The Integrated Pest Management Field Crop Scout Schools are designed for those who have no previous scouting experience and plan to work as crop scouts. Sessions will cover identification and scouting methods for weeds, insects, and diseases; crop growth and development of corn, soybean, and alfalfa; how to use soil surveys and some general information about soil profiles; discussion of common crop problems; and scouting goals. Many of the sessions will include hands-on diagnostic activities to help in recognizing field crop problems.

There are two one-day schools this year, one on Wednesday, March 21, and a second on Saturday, March 24. The Scout Schools will be held in the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center in Ames. Mark your calendars--registration will be included in the February 26 ICM newsletter. The Field Crop Scout Schools are sponsored by the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management Program and the Departments of Agronomy, Entomology, and Plant Pathology. Questions may be directed to Jerolyne Packer, Brent Brueland, or Richard Larson at (515) 294-6429 or Joyce Hornstein (515) 294-1101.