CLAYTON COUNTY, IOWA ~ There’s a whole lot more happening in those Northeast Iowa corn and soybean fields than meets the eye.
And a group of young people from Clayton County knows just what to look for!
From identifying crop diseases and troublesome insects to understanding soil, weeds, and the challenges farmers face, these students have been sharpening their agricultural detective skills.
And recently, they proved they’re among the very best!
On September 12, 2026, two Clayton County teams traveled to Champaign, Illinois, for the Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition, where they competed against talented young agricultural enthusiasts representing six Midwestern states.
When the results were announced, Clayton County’s Crop Doctors had captured first place, while the GDUs tied for second!
And here’s something especially remarkable.
The Crop Doctors scored 233 out of 270 points, while the GDUs finished with 232. Just ONE point separated the two Clayton County teams!
That’s quite an accomplishment for one Northeast Iowa county!
The first~place Crop Doctors included Owen Walz, Garrett Burns, Caleb Zuercher, and Henry Reimer, coached by Bob Schilling.
The GDUs, coached by Joe Shirbroun, included Cora Keehner, Brooke Donlon, Haylee Hillers, and Tyler Hoeger.
The competition brought together teams from Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Illinois, challenging students to apply their knowledge to real agricultural situations.
Through hands-on activities and questions about crop pests, plant growth, and responsible pesticide use, the students demonstrated agricultural knowledge that can help farmers make informed decisions in the field.
Their journey to the regional competition began earlier in the summer.
At Iowa’s state crop~scouting competition on July 27 in Boone, the Clayton County GDUs earned first place, while the Crop Doctors finished second. Those outstanding performances qualified both teams to represent Iowa at the regional event.
Then, when September rolled around, the Crop Doctors moved into first place at the regional level, with the GDUs close behind.
Now that’s teamwork, dedication, and a little Clayton County determination!
But there’s something even bigger worth celebrating here.
These young people are learning skills that matter to the future of farming.
They’re discovering how to recognize problems before they become costly, how to make thoughtful decisions about protecting crops, and how science and agriculture work together to help feed communities.
They’re also learning how to communicate, solve problems, and trust one another when faced with a challenge.
Those are lessons that reach well beyond the fields.
And behind their accomplishments are coaches, families, educators, and agricultural professionals who have helped encourage their curiosity and prepare them for competition.
Congratulations to both Clayton County teams and their coaches!
You’ve given Northeast Iowa something wonderful to celebrate.
Because while these young crop detectives were busy searching for problems in the fields, they were also showing the rest of us something pretty encouraging.
The future of agriculture is already growing right here at home!
There’s always something good goin’ ’round!
Deliverance Hope ~ Word ’Round Town
Northeast Iowa Community Living
word-round-town.com
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