Five South Dakota FFA members have each received a $100 scholarship for placing first in their respective Regional Land Judging Competitions this fall. The scholarship recipients are: Breckan Estey, Hitchcock-Tulare; Riley Storm, Lemmon; Chase Jones, Tri-Valley; Slayten Wilkenson, De Smet; and Khloie Klinkhammer, McCook Central.
The scholarships are designed to encourage and reward students’ accomplishments in the field of land & soil management. Scholarships are made possible by a contribution to the SD FFA Foundation from the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.
“South Dakota Soil Health Coalition proudly sponsors the top land individual scholarship in the five regional land and range contests because these events help our future land stewards understand the importance of protecting the landscape so that it remains productive for years to come and continues to support our vibrant communities,” said Cindy Zenk, Executive Director of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. “Taking the time to teach young people about soil and rangeland health is an important duty for everyone in the ag industry, and our grandchildren will reap the benefits.”
The SD FFA Land Judging contest, hosted by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, SDSU Extension, SD conservation districts and the US Forest Service, is designed to emphasize the importance of soils and their limitations. Students evaluate soil texture, depth, past erosion, slope, and stoniness, estimate permeability and surface runoff, list the limiting properties, and determine the land capability class. They interpret their measurements to make intelligent land management practices, for both agricultural and urban uses. Many of the properties important for agricultural uses are also relevant for urban/rural uses, such as building, sewage systems, and lagoons. Students gain knowledge that will make them better agriculturalists, homeowners, and construction workers.
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