Heartland FFA Land Judging Team from L to R: Lane Farral, Riley Quiring, Faith Hiebner, and Maddie Janzen – courtesy photo
The Heartand FFA Land Judging Team qualified for state after competing in Polk County on October 1. At that competition, there were 22 teams and 369 competitors. Land judging is a competition that allows students to get a better understanding of soil structure and land evaluation. The Nebraska Natural Resources Districts sponsors the competitions.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Heartland Land Judging Team competed in the State competition and placed second, qualifying them for the national competition. Heartland competed in the Lower Platte North NRD region for State at Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo, Nebraska.
“The team did amazing!” said Heartland FFA Sponsor Stephanie Miller. Riley Quiring placed 12th, Lane Farrall placed 14th, Maddie Janzen placed 30th, and Faith Hiebner placed 83rd. Overall, the team placed second and will compete in Nationals May 5-7 near El Reno, Oklahoma.
Miller explained what goes on at a soil judging competition.
“They have to identify the texture of the soil for both the top soil and the control section, identify slope, and figure out erosion in the land, which will lead them to a land classification of 1-8. Based on the land classification and other known variables, they will then prescribe a treatment plan to the land to help conserve the soil.”
Courtesy photos
