Minnesota 4-H launched its agronomy program in 2018 to connect Minnesota youth to the many crops grown throughout the state and the career opportunities available in crop production. At first only available in five counties, the program will be available statewide in 2020.

The agronomy program consists of different facets that offers kids, primarily those in fourth through sixth grade, different hands-on opportunities with Minnesota crops. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association is a supporter of the program as part of its mission to connect youth to agriculture.

A primary part of the agronomy program provides youth with starter kits to grow their own field crop. In the first year, youth received a kit to grow three varieties of corn. With participants only having to provide the soil, the goal of each kit was to make it accessible for all, according to University of Minnesota Extension Educator Brian McNeill, who runs the program.

“We developed these kits so no matter where you live, whether it is in an apartment or on acreage, you would be able to grow something,” he said.

More than 110 kids signed up for more than 250 project kits in 2018, when it was only available in five counties. Available to 20 counties in 2019, the kits grew in variety—now offering opportunities to grow soybeans and potatoes —and popularity, with more than 280 kids requested nearly 500 kits this year. Starter kits will be available statewide in 2020.

With the agronomy program growing in popularity, crops grown using the starter kits have started to appear in competitions at county fairs with some even moving on to the Minnesota State Fair.

The 4-H agronomy program also introduced a second phase of the program where it invited participants on an agronomy tour, first held at Riverview Dairy in Morris. Attendees were able to see corn and soybean plots, as well as get hands-on experiences with drones, soils and weed identification.

A third facet of the program is to introduce kids to the many different college experiences in agronomy. Last March, more than 100 youth signed up for a day-long visit to Ridgewater College. The experience provided a look at opportunities participants have to grow their agronomy expertise at the college level.

Through each phase of the agronomy program, McNeill said youth participants have come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with the majority having no prior agricultural experience. With the support of the state’s corn growers, McNeill said they have been able to hire summer staff to carry out the program, reaching more kids than ever before.

Interested in participating in the 2020 4-H agronomy program? Click here to learn more.