Greenville FFA Participates in County Soil Contests

Greenville FFA Participates in County Soil Contests

 The Darke County FFA Soils Contest was held recently just north of Versailles.  The soil contest consists of a written test, a Soil Survey test, and three pits to evaluate. The team, consisting of up to eight students, grades the soil pit based upon the guidelines provided on the scoring card.  The team is given approximately fifteen minutes at each of the three pits to determine various soil characteristics.  Then based on what characteristics were found, management practice recommendations are made.

The Rural Soil Judging team looked at the slope, soil texture, air and water movement, depth of topsoil and subsoil in each of the pits. Then the team members chose conservation practice to recommend in order utilizing that type of ground in a farming situation correctly.

The Urban Soils team looked at slope, landform, flood hazards, soil stability, soil texture of the surface and subsoil, depth to seasonal high water table, and depth to bedrock.  They used these characteristics in determining use limitations for buildings with basement; septic tank absorption fields, driveways and local roads, and lawns, gardens, and landscaping.  Based upon what was found, members then chose some recommended management practices for each of these areas.




Rural Soils Participants          

Several Greenville FFA teams competed in the Darke County Soils contest where the Urban team took 1^st, 2^nd, 3rd, and 4^th places and the Rural team took 5^th and 6^th places

High scorers for the Greenville FFA in the Urban Contest included Andrew Clark, Kevin Brenner, Alex Yohey, and Seth Monnin. In the Rural Soils Contest, the high scorers were David Shultz, Ivy Berger, Christian Jennings, and Christian Kimmel.



Urban Soils Participants

Those who were on the Urban Soils Team were Seth Monnin, Kevin Brenner, Clayton McGlothin, Alex Yohey, Connor Garber, Steve Dakin, Tyler Pitman, Jaymie Phillips, Jenna LeMaster, Matt Freshour, Karri Stickley, Josh Magoto, Kyle Conklin, and Andrew Clark. Those judging on the Rural Soils Team included Lydia Schafer, Ivy Berger, Stephanie Monnin, Elizabeth Bernhard, Seth Gessler, Zach Garland, Christian Kimmel, Christian Jennings, Levi Boehringer, and David Shultz.