North Dakota State University Extension will host the 2026 Eastern Crop, Pest Identification and Management School, starting on Feb. 24 at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.

The program will provide hands-on training and education focused on crop pest identification and management for anyone working in crop production and field scouting.

The school is designed for undergraduate students and first- to second-year crop scouts and will provide training on identifying and diagnosing diseases, insects, herbicide injury symptoms and other crop production challenges. Participants will learn to recognize pest issues affecting major crops grown in the northern Great Plains, including wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, dry beans, canola and sunflower.

“Accurate identification of crop disorders and pests is one of the most important skills for making crop management decisions,” says Wade Webster, NDSU Extension soybean pathology specialist. “This program provides hands-on experience that will help crop scouts and other agricultural professionals confidently diagnose crop issues.”

The primary goal of the program is to help prepare participants to become successful field scouts by strengthening their knowledge of crop pests and production challenges in the north central region. Sessions will be led by NDSU Extension specialists and scientists working in each of these areas.

Attendees will receive reference materials, including a comprehensive resource binder and flash drives containing identification guides and crop management information. Additional binders will be available for purchase for those interested in extra training materials.

For more information about the program or to register, visit ndsu.ag/eastern-crop-26.

Questions regarding program content can be directed to Webster or Barbara Nilles in NDSU's Department of Plant Pathology, Microbiology and Biotechnology at 701-231-8363 or richard.webster@ndsu.edu or barbara.nilles@ndsu.edu.

Anyone requesting disability accommodations should contact the event organizers at least two weeks prior to the program.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Feb. 9, 2026

Source: Wade Webster, 701-231-7057, richard.webster@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu