BROOKINGS, S.D. - SDSU Extension, along with the Jones County Conservation District and the South Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), hosted the 38th Annual Rangeland and 17th Annual Soils Days June 14-15, 2022, in Murdo, South Dakota.
The first day of the event focused on learning about rangelands and soils, and students were allowed to prepare for the contest. The soils judging and rangeland judging contests were held the second day of the event.
“The two days students get to spend out in the field allow them to learn about the importance of rangelands and develop valuable skills in a unique learning environment,” says Krista Ehlert, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Range Specialist. “The event takes the practical applications of rangeland ecology and soil properties and puts it into context for students in a real-world experience. From the New Rangers to the Go Getters, every student walks away from this event with knowledge and skills they can use now and in the future.”
The 1st place 4-H Go Getter Rangeland Judging Team and the 1st place 4-H Soils Judging Team will travel to the National Land and Range Judging Contest in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in May of 2023.
Contestants for each contest are evaluated individually, then individual scores are grouped together for a team score.
“Land and homesite judging events are an excellent opportunity to introduce youth to the land from the management and technical perspective, and it and gives those students an opportunity to gain an interest in our natural resources.”
— Lance Howe, Major Land Resource Area Soil Survey Leader, NRCS
17th Annual Soils Day Results
Group Photo: Soils Judging Participants
Courtesy: SDSU Extension
In the soils judging event, contestants use their knowledge of soils and land to determine soil properties, recommend land treatments and fertility treatments and determine land capability class. Contestants also determine site suitability for homesite development including foundations, lawns, septic systems and sewage lagoons.
FFA Division Individual Soils Judging Results:
1st place – Conner Johnson, De Smet FFA Chapter
2nd place – Breyton Johnson, De Smet FFA Chapter
3rd place – Tanner Tolzin, De Smet FFA Chapter
FFA Division Team Soils Judging Results:
1st place – De Smet FFA Chapter: Connor Johnson, Breyton Johnson, Tanner Tolzin, Tanner Crain and Hailey Lee
2nd place – Dell Rapids FFA Chapter: Brinley Kriens, Haley Rydell and Cooper Hauglid
4-H Division Individual Soils Judging Results:
1st place – Karin Sweeter, Lennox 4-H
2nd place – Mikael Nielson, Spink 4-H
3rd place – Brendan Nowell, Spink 4-H
4-H Division Team Soils Judging Results:
1st place – Hitchcock-Tulare 4-H: Brendon Nowell, Jackson Maynard, Mickael Nielson and Harlee Nielson
2nd place – Lennox 4-H: Karin Sweeter, Callie Hammerstrom, Skyler Plucker and Tyler Strasser
38th Annual Rangeland Day Results
Group Photo: Rangeland Judging Participants
Courtesy: SDSU Extension
In the rangeland judging event, contestants use their knowledge of soils and grassland plants to assess habitat suitability for livestock and wildlife. They also identify plants and their characteristics, determine if a certain site is meeting management goals and recommend management practices to improve the site’s functionality.
New Rangers Division (Ages 8-10) Individual Rangeland Judging Results:
1st place – Drake VanderPoel, Pipestone, Minnesota
2nd place – Vada Enfield, Letcher, South Dakota
3rd place – Faith Schultz, Philip, South Dakota
Wranglers Division (Ages 11-13) Individual Rangeland Judging Results:
1st place – Jesse Schoon, Sunshine Bible FFA chapter
2nd place – Dakota Boersma, Sunshine Bible FFA chapter
3rd place – Finn Ollila, Butte-Lawrence-Jackson 4-H
Scouts Division (Ages 14-18) Individual Rangeland Judging Results:
1st place – Keagan Kettwig, Parker FFA Chapter
2nd place – William Chadwick
3rd place – Caleb Gaikowski, Day County 4-H
Go Getters Division (Ages 14-18) Individual Rangeland Judging Results:
1st place – Matthew Mork, Day County 4-H
2nd place – Alyssa Dix, Corson County 4-H
3rd place – Seth Schoon, Sunshine Bible Academy FFA
FFA Go Getters Division (Ages 14-18) Team Rangeland Judging Results:
1st place – Sunshine Bible Academy FFA: Daraby Boersma, Seth Schoon and Jimmy Burma
2nd place – Webster/Gettysburg FFA: Treyvon Czmowski, Chris Gaikowski, Bobbi Eide and Caleb Gaikowski
4-H Go Getters Division (Ages 14-18) Team Rangeland Judging Results:
1st place – Day County 4-H: Matthew Mork, Brent Snaza, Sage Sippel and Blaze McGregor
2nd place – Corson County 4-H: Shannon Gebhart, Sam Weishaar, Kaitlyn Gebhart and Alyssa Dix
Student Talk Results:
Wrangler Division – Jonathon Neuharth, Stanley County 4-H
Go Getter Division – Matthew Mork, Day County 4-H
Student Display Results:
Wrangler Division – Finn Ollila, Butte-Lawrence-Jackson 4-H
Top Hand Results:
Wrangler Division – Finn Ollila, Butte-Lawrence-Jackson 4-H
Champion Photos
Follow the link below to view a complete collection of champion photos from the 38th Annual Rangeland and 17th Annual Soils Days competitions on SmugMug.
Original source can be found here
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