The South Dakota FFA Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of five $100 scholarships for students placing first in one of the four SD Regional Land Evaluation Competitions this fall. 2024 scholarship recipients are: Ashley Haven, Northwestern;
Brooks Foss, Lemmon;
Tucker Peterson, McCook Central;
Seth Poppen, Willow Lake;
and Megan Geraets, Dell Rapids.
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.
“The land and range contests provide real world agricultural experience the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition proudly supports with the top individual scholarship investing in the future agricultural leaders,” said Cindy Zenk, Executive Director of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. “The future of our communities belongs to our children. So as land stewards, we must not only work to improve our soil but also teach our children how to care for the land so it can continue to provide for our families and our communities once we are gone. Taking the time to teach young people the details of our soil and rangeland is a key role on a farm or ranch, and our grandchildren will thank us for it.”
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.
The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is proud to support Agricultural Education and the FFA’s mission to make a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information about the South Dakota FFA Foundation and supporting South Dakota’s FFA programs, visit www.sdffafoundation.org.
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