Agronomy Project

• Learn about plant parts and their functions (roots, stems, leaves, etc.)
• Know how to test for basic soil properties (pH, moisture, etc.)
• Identify common crops in your region
• Explore the role of sunlight and water
• Learn how to plant a crop and observe the growth

• Understand the relationship between soil health and soil nutrients to crop productivity
• Explore crop rotation
• Study the impact of weather and climate on crop growth and yield
• Learn about and understand crop growth stages for various crops

• Learn advanced soil management techniques to preserve soil health
• Explore advanced topics like plant genetics, biotechnology, and their role in improving crop yields
• Execute the production of at least one acre of one crop and analyze profitability

Lead a workshop for younger 4-H members on the basics of crop production, offer to scout crop fields for pests for a farmer, or educate local government or community groups on the benefits of sustainable farming practices.

Present about crop production at a 4-H meeting, write an article about how crops are used for a local newspaper or blog, or record an educational agronomy podcast.

Work with a farmer to grow a crop in a field, offer to sample soils and/or scout fields for pests for a farmer, or fly drones for farmers taking specialized images of crops and/or weeds.

Use a pest identification app, explore agricultural apps that help decide if and/or when to apply a pesticide, or utilize GPS technology to map soils in fields.

Create an agronomic display for Project Expo, deliver an agronomic presentation at a Communication Arts Contest, participate in the 4-H Agronomy Contest.

Visit and/or work with a farmer, ask to job-shadow a crop scout, or visit and work with an agronomic researcher.

• Keep a journal of the growth of a crop for one season
• Make video/poster on how legume crops increase soil fertility
• Create a display board about soil health or fertility
• Make a display on plant reproduction
• Make a pressed weed mount collection
• Clean a crop sample to prepare as an exhibit
• Create an insect display board

Preparing Crop Sheaves for Exhibit (GCA091)
ND Crop Seed Identification Guide (GCA671)
Identifying Weeds and Their Seeds (GCA672)
Range Judging Handbook for North Dakota (DDB628)
Land Judging in North Dakota (DBC618)

• Crop Production Worksheet (GCA095)
• ND 4-H Project Plan (PA095)
• ND 4-H Plan of Action (PA096)
• ND 4-H Participation Summary for 11-to 19 year-olds (PA098)

Agronomy Contest
Land Judging Contest
Range Judging Contest

• ND Wheat Commission
• United Soybean Board
• ND Soybean Council
• National Corn Growers
• ND Corn Growers
• USDA Web Soil Survey

Soil Layer Cake Recipe

• Quart jars (1 per sample)
• Soil samples (garden, flowerbed, field, low and/or high area of a field, etc.)
• Laundry or non-foamy detergent
• Water
• Paper, pen, and ruler for observations

Collect 2-6 inches of topsoil from two different locations, label soil. Guess which sample will have the most sand and clay. Dry soil on newspaper and remove all non-soil material, crush lumps into finer particles. Fill each jar with ¼ soil and ¾ water then add 1 T of detergent per jar. Shake vigorously for 3 minutes. Set jars down and let settle for 2 days. Identify layers: clay (top), silt (middle), sand (bottom). Measure each layer’s depth and calculate the percentage of each layer, note any floating plant/insect material. Compare the samples and reflect on predictions. Learn how soil components vary and affect solid type and plant growth. Record your findings!