By Scout Nelson
In the cold spring months, scouting for pests in real fields isn’t possible. So, a University of Minnesota Extension educator in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) got creative, combining art and science to teach pest identification to new farmers.
In a classroom at the Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center, a group of apprentices gathered for a hands-on pest management session. They had just listened to a presentation and were now studying fake cabbages painted with disease symptoms and topped with pipe cleaner pests.
“We’re practicing how to identify potential pest problems,” the educator explained. “Especially since we can’t scout in the field for a couple more months.”
Each cabbage in the classroom had been painted or modified to represent common issues—holes in leaves, dark spots, and artificial insects. The goal was to give new growers a chance to learn the visual signs of plant damage before heading into the field.
“I teach so many people who are just getting into farming for the first time,” the educator said. “They may be taking a class before they’ve even grown more than a garden-sized plot.”
The apprentices work at various sites for the growing season and learn to use IPM strategies to care for their crops. Their instructor said, “They will help identify plant pests and diseases, and we will use the continuum of IPM intervention strategies to make ecologically minded decisions.”
While examining the models, the students referred to online Extension guides to diagnose the problems. “The earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to address it,” the educator explained. “Scouting involves anticipating future issues, not just reacting to what you see now.”
One student identified a leaf spot disease and discussed possible causes like too much moisture. Others joined in, noting how some diseases are hard to detect early in the season.
Through these realistic, hands-on experiences, new growers are gaining skills that will help them identify pests and protect crops effectively.
Photo Credit:istock-fotokostic
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Education, Weather