Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Team Banner County members were grateful for the opportunity of take part in the State Land Judging competition near Gering.
Students and instructors from Banner County and 28 other high schools met near Gering to compete in State Land Judging Oct. 19.
The North Platte Natural Resources District partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to host the annual competition.
With towering bluffs rising to the north, students judged in a dryland corn field southwest of Wildcat Hills Recreation Area.
Land Judging is a high school competition that challenges students to gain a better understanding of soil structure and land evaluation.
Teams consist of four students from the same FFA chapter, and a few individuals who qualified separate from a team. Each participant learns how to recognize the physical features of the soil, determine land capability for crop production, and evaluate management practices needed for proper stewardship.
During the competition, students judge four soil pits using an evaluation card to make assessments on: soil depth, surface texture, permeability, slope, thickness of surface and erosion. Each evaluation card is scored and added together to determine overall scores for individuals and the team.
In order to compete in the state contest, teams advance from one of the seven regional competitions hosted across the state in October.
This year's team champion and individual champion, Ashlynn Millikan, cam from Norfolk.
