News : Vinton-Shellsburg FFA “Rocks” Soil Judging

Members got to be hands on in the pits. Andrew Pingenot is seen measuring horizons inside of a pit.

Bailey Weeks and Charlee Johnson identify soil texture by making ribbons.

Members pose for a photo before heading out to the pits.

By: Anabelle Hernandez, Member

On Wednesday, September 22nd, members of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter went to Hawkeye Community College to participate in the District Soil Judging Contest. To prepare for the contest, program supporter Scott Fleming dug sample pits for students to practice in. Other supporters Lance Lillibridge and Mark Pingenot also shared their expertise and referenced the contest materials to help students understand the expectations for the day. At the contest, students had to judge four different pits of soil located around the main campus. They looked for things like the size of the horizons present in the soil, the texture, color, and slope. Overall the team did very well. The team was prepared to take on any challenge that they were given, even the surprise test that they had to take. This experience was fun, and they got to experience and learn about something that they might not have known anything about. Results are as follows:

Team 1 - 10th Place

Christopher Fleming - 15th Individual

Clayton McKenna - 35th Individual

Gunnar Schminke - 64th Individual

Team 2 - 15th Place

Bailey Weeks - 26th Individual
Charlee Johnson - 63rd Individual

Chase Rippel - 72nd Individual

Team 3 - 9th Place

Ty Lillibridge - 19th Individual

Andrew Pingenot - 30th Individual

Austin Noe - 60th Individual

Anabelle Hernandez - 91st Individual