Each Fall the Darke SWCD teams up with FFA chapters from around the county to hold a soils judging contest to help them prepare for the area competition. On September 17, 2019 the contest was held at Jeff Martin's farm off Fisher Dangler Road west of Greenville. This year students from six county schools- Ansonia, Arcanum, Franklin Monroe, Greenville, Tri-Village and Versailles- participated in the event.
The land judging contest consists of a rural and urban test. Significant changes have been implemented since the 2015 contest. A few changes implemented on the rural test included a focus on soil health, nutrient management, best management practices and a more in-depth look at soil properties.
Each test challenges the students to not only identify soil types, but also consider other soil characteristics when making recommendations for use of that area. The contest consisted of four stations, three soil pits and a written test. The students had 15 minutes to finish the test at each station.
The land judging contest consists of a rural and urban test. Significant changes have been implemented since the 2015 contest. A few changes implemented on the rural test included a focus on soil health, nutrient management, best management practices and a more in-depth look at soil properties.
Each test challenges the students to not only identify soil types, but also consider other soil characteristics when making recommendations for use of that area. The contest consisted of four stations, three soil pits and a written test. The students had 15 minutes to finish the test at each station.
2019 Results
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RURAL JUDGING CONTEST
Team Scores 1st - Tri Village 1867 pts 2nd - Versailles 1858 pts 3rd - Arcanum 1829 pts Individual Scores 1st - Deanna Hesson, Versailles 668 pts 2nd - Luke Brinksneader, Arcanum 654 pts 3rd - Gavin Lochard, Tri Village 637 pts |
URBAN JUDGING CONTEST
Team Scores 1st - Tri-Village 1755 pts 2nd- Arcanum 1624 pts 3rd - Ansonia 1303 pts Individual Scores 1st - Maddie Downing, Tri-Village 606 pts 2nd- Meghan Downing, Tri-Village 586 pts 3rd - Andrea Garrison, Arcanum 580 pts |
2018 County Soils Judging Contest
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Students evaluate a soil pit during the 2018 land judging contest at S & S Swine farm.
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