The Nebraska Extension Special Agronomy Project gives youth an opportunity to experience a crop that is grown, was grown or has the potential to be grown in Nebraska. Youth participate by receiving seed and resources to grow the crop, research traits of the crop and determine the viability of that crop in the part of the state they live. The project allows FFA members interested in agronomy to grow something fun, new, and different.
The focus of the 2022 Special Agronomy Project is Broomcorn Sorghum. Broomcorn can be used for ornamental uses in floral arrangements or harvested for broom-use prior to seed maturity.
If you have youth in 4-H OR YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN ASSIGNMENT: There are three ways to complete this at the county or state fair in 4-H. First, an educational exhibit that can be in a poster format can include what you learned. Secondly, let your creativity go wild and create a video-type presentation explaining what you have learned, showing the growing process, etc. Finally, you can enter the crop itself. To do this, cut 4 stalks at the ground level and bound-together with supporting information about the project. For project specifications and details, be sure to go to the Nebraska State Fairbook at https://4hfairbook.unl.edu/fairbookview.php/rules.
SIGN UP for the project (order the seeds). By enrolling through 4-H Online, youth will have access to the folder with the educational materials including the growing newsletter & evaluation. Schools should share or print off the newsletter and evaluation as you hand out the seeds.
To order seeds: Complete the form (https://go.unl.edu/specialagronomy) by March 1st indicating how many youths you think will participate. We are ordering bulk seed. It is up to the school to order, package, and distribute seeds & materials to the youth for their school. Promotional items for this project (including a photo) is at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/special-agronomy-project.
The cost to enroll in the project should be around $0.50/youth. We are aiming to have enough seeds for each youth to plant 4, 4’ rows of cornbroom. Please order accordingly.