• Article Photo. Individual FFA members receiving their ribbons (Far left) Megan Schlitter 5th, (Center Front) Ben Buhr 2nd, (Back Row Center) Andrew Pingenot 8th, and (Right Back Row) Will McKenna 7th
    Individual FFA members receiving their ribbons (Far left) Megan Schlitter 5th, (Center Front) Ben Buhr 2nd, (Back Row Center) Andrew Pingenot 8th, and (Right Back Row) Will McKenna 7th
  • Article Photo. Members taking time judging one of the soil pits.
    Members taking time judging one of the soil pits.
  • Article Photo. Vinton-Shellsburg Gold team with their first place ribbons: (far left) Izzie Birker, Megan Schlitter, Andrew Pingenot, (far right) Will McKenna
    Vinton-Shellsburg Gold team with their first place ribbons: (far left) Izzie Birker, Megan Schlitter, Andrew Pingenot, (far right) Will McKenna
  • Article Photo. Members taking their time judging a soil pit in a field at Hawkeye Community College.
    Members taking their time judging a soil pit in a field at Hawkeye Community College.


By: Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker  


On Wednesday, September 25th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA chapter, along with many other chapters in the Northeast District, participated in the District Soil Judging Contest at Hawkeye Community College. The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA chapter brought four teams to the event including members Andrew Pingenot, Will McKenna, Megan Schlitter, Izzie Birker, Ben Buhr, Cooper McClintock, Austin Noe, Kirsten Pettit, Brihanna Dulin, Raine Wheeler, Kassidi Brunssen, Cole Birker, Jameson Demuth, and Steven Rogers.

Members took part in hands-on learning at four different soil pits, demonstrating their knowledge of soil layers, soil health, and more through the general knowledge test they took. The Vinton-Shellsburg Gold team consisting of Andrew Pingenot, Will McKenna, Megan Schlitter, and Izzie Birker did an amazing job during this contest, securing first place overall!

The chapter also achieved multiple individual awards with Ben Buhr taking 2nd Place, Megan Schlitter placed 5th, Will McKenna came in 7th, and Andrew Pingenot finished 8th.

We are incredibly proud of all our participants!