Potosi FFA Competes at National Soil Judging Competition

By Nick Edge

Potosi Schools FFA program has long been known for success in land judging competitions. This year is no different as our current senior soils team has once again qualified to attend the National Land Judging Competition in Oklahoma City. If you’ve never land judged (also known as soil judging), then you’re probably wondering what land judging is all about.

Land judging competitions help teach students and adults about the field of soil science. It also helps with an understanding of how to use the soil and how to manage the land you are on. Knowing this information is beneficial not only for farmers, but for conservation efforts and construction companies as well.

During our trip to Oklahoma, we stayed in Oklahoma City from Sunday to Friday. On Sunday we left at around noon and finally arrived  around 11:30 p.m. that night. Monday, we went sightseeing throughout the city. First, we stopped at the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial, which was very interesting. Then, we ate at a local restaurant in the famous Bricktown district. On Tuesday, we went to the practice pits for most of the day, even though the weather was not cooperating. We later went to Eischen’s for some of Oklahoma’s famous chicken. Wednesday was another day to practice. We did that all morning. In the afternoon, we went mini golfing and did some other fun activities. Later that night, Mrs. Brunton had a coaches meeting for the contest on Thursday and we had time to socialize and do homework. Thursday was the day of the contest. On Friday, We left Emporia, Kansas and drove the eight hours home.

The contest was held at the Cherokee Arapaho Nation Headquarters. There were multiple contests happening this day: Land Judging, Homesite Judging, and Range Judging. There were over 600 students and 400 adults registered to compete. There were a total of 104 FFA teams from around the nation competing for gold. We, however, placed nowhere near gold. The Potosi Senior Soil team placed 74th out of 104, but we were the second best team from Wisconsin. Monticello placed first, Potosi second, Shullsburg third, Shell Lake fourth, and Lancaster fifth.

While we were there, the Potosi Senior Soils team and Mrs. Brunton had the opportunity to be interviewed by Bob Middendorf of 97.7 WGLR. The interviews were done through the phone. Mrs. Brunton was interviewed twice, on Monday and Thursday, after the contest. Myself and Evan Bloyer were interviewed on Tuesday. Austin Uppena and Brittany Horner were interviewed on Wednesday. The interviews were broadcast during the Farm Show the day after each interview.

The trip to Oklahoma was full of memories and learning opportunities. Learning how to soil judge was one of the best experiences I have had in high school. I highly recommend learning how to soil judge because it is pretty fun when you know what you’re doing. Also, you can have the opportunity to go to Oklahoma and miss a week of school and hang out with your friends, teachers, and Mr. Uppena.