Montana State to host Crop and Pest Management School Jan. 14-15, 2026 – Tri-State Livestock News

Event Report: 2026 Crop and Pest Management School

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture in Alignment with Global Goals

Montana State University (MSU) Extension and its Integrated Pest Management Program will host the 2026 Crop and Pest Management School on January 14-15, 2026, at the MSU campus in Bozeman. The event is designed to disseminate information on new and proven agricultural techniques, with a significant emphasis on sustainable management systems that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Core Focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The school’s curriculum is structured to directly address several key SDGs by promoting responsible and innovative agricultural practices.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The program aims to enhance food security and promote sustainable agriculture by educating participants on advanced techniques in soil fertility, nutrition, and health. By improving crop management, the event contributes to more resilient and productive food systems.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: A central theme is the promotion of sustainable production patterns. Sessions on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and pesticide education encourage the reduced use of chemical inputs, fostering environmentally sound management of natural resources.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The school addresses the protection and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems. Topics such as noxious weed management, soil health, and precision agriculture provide tools to minimize the environmental impact of farming, conserve biodiversity, and combat land degradation.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: By providing a platform for continuing education and professional development, the event supports inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for agricultural professionals.

Program Details and Logistics

Key Session Topics

The agenda is comprehensive, covering critical areas for sustainable farm management:

• Soil fertility, nutrition, and health
• Forages and noxious weeds
• Precision agriculture
• Agronomy
• Pesticide education
• Cropland weeds
• Integrated pest management diagnostics, diseases, and insects

Registration and Professional Development Information

1. Continuing Education: Certified crop adviser and pesticide continuing education units will be available to participants.
2. Event Fee: Registration is $225, which includes lunch and parking for both days.
3. Registration Deadline: The deadline for registration is Monday, December 22.
4. Contact Person: Questions may be directed to Tim Seipel, Integrated Pest Management Program Director.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article about the Crop and Pest Management School connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on education, sustainable agricultural practices, and environmental management.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The event’s core purpose is to improve agricultural techniques, which is fundamental to ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. The focus on “new, proven agricultural techniques” and “sustainable management systems” directly supports the goals of increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable food production.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article announces a “school” that provides specialized training and education. It explicitly mentions that “Certified crop adviser and pesticide continuing education units will be available,” highlighting its role in providing inclusive and quality education for lifelong learning opportunities in the agricultural sector.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The emphasis on “sustainable management systems,” “pesticide education,” and “integrated pest management” directly addresses the need for sustainable production patterns. These topics promote the environmentally sound management of agricultural inputs like pesticides, reducing their impact on the environment.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: By teaching about “soil fertility, nutrition and health,” managing “noxious weeds,” and implementing “integrated pest management,” the school promotes practices that protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. These practices help improve soil quality and reduce the negative impacts of agriculture on local biodiversity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Several specific SDG targets can be linked to the activities described in the article.

1. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
   • The school’s focus on “sustainable management systems” and session topics like “soil fertility, nutrition and health” directly contribute to this target by equipping farmers with the knowledge to implement such practices.
2. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • The event provides technical skills in agronomy, pest management, and precision agriculture. The availability of “Certified crop adviser and pesticide continuing education units” is a clear mechanism for increasing the number of adults with relevant vocational skills in the agricultural industry.
3. Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
   • The sessions on “pesticide education” and “integrated pest management” are designed to teach participants how to manage agricultural chemicals (pesticides) responsibly, thereby minimizing their environmental impact.
4. Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
   • The session on “soil fertility, nutrition and health” directly addresses the need to improve land and soil quality, which is a key component of combating land degradation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article is an announcement and does not contain data, it mentions or implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress.

1. Indicator for Target 4.4: The article explicitly mentions an indicator for measuring educational attainment.
   • Mentioned Indicator: The number of participants who receive “Certified crop adviser and pesticide continuing education units.” This is a direct measure of the number of adults who have enhanced their technical and vocational skills through the program.
2. Indicators for Targets 2.4, 12.4, and 15.3: The article implies indicators related to the adoption of sustainable practices.
   • Implied Indicator: The adoption rate of “integrated pest management” and other “sustainable management systems” by the school’s attendees. Progress could be measured through post-event surveys on changes in farming practices.
   • Implied Indicator: A reduction in the use of chemical pesticides by participants in favor of integrated methods. This would measure progress towards the environmentally sound management of chemicals (Target 12.4).
   • Implied Indicator: The proportion of agricultural land managed by attendees that is under improved soil health management. This would measure progress towards improving land and soil quality (Targets 2.4 and 15.3).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: tsln.com