MSU Soil Judging Places 4th Regionally and Qualifies for the National Contest in 2025

Dept of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences -

The MSU team, coached by Dr. Barret Wessel and assistant coaches Bernard Frantz, Mason Rutgers, and Chris Baish, qualified for the National Soil Judging Contest in the spring 2025 semester.

The Michigan State University Soil Judging Team placed 4th out of 10 schools competing in the Region 3 Soil Judging Contest hosted by Southern Illinois University from October 8th-11th, qualifying for the National Soil Judging Contest that will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point during the spring 2025 semester. MSU Soil Judging FS24_7 copy.jpg

The Regional Contest was held around Carbondale, Illinois, and gave students the opportunity to see a variety of landscapes and soils including reclaimed coal mines, productive Alfisols, and even a few sodium-enriched natric horizons. The MSU team was coached by Dr. Barret Wessel and assistant coaches Bernard Frantz, Mason Rutgers, and Chris Baish.

MSU Soil Judging FS24_2 copy.jpgDuring a soil judging contest, students enter a soil pit (usually 100-150 cm deep), identify the different soil horizons (i.e., layers), and describe the morphology of those horizons in detail according to USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service methods. Students then use their soil descriptions and landscape observations to classify the soil and draw interpretive conclusions about how each soil should be managed. Student results are then scored against keys that are prepared for each site in advance by USDA Soil Scientists and other contest officials. Participation in Soil Judging is one of the best ways to prepare for a career as a soil scientist.

MSU Soil Judging FS24_1 copy.jpgIn addition to overall team rankings, individual contestants are also ranked, with the highest scoring individuals receiving awards, and the top 10 receiving recognition at the awards ceremony. Out of 73 contestants, Abigail Guza from MSU placed 3rd overall, and Francis Miller placed 11th, nearly giving MSU two of the top 10 rankings.

The final ranking of competing schools was U. Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1st), Purdue University (2nd), U. Wisconsin-Platteville (3rd), Michigan State University (4th), U. of Illinois (5th), Grand Valley State University (6th), the Ohio State University (7th), Wilmington College (8th), U. Wisconsin-Madison (9th), and Southern Illinois University (10th).

MSU Soil Judging FS24_4 copy.jpgThese competitions are incredibly valuable for undergraduate education. Please consider supporting MSU Soil Judging through MSU University Development via the Soil Science Field Experience Teaching Fund available at: https://givingto.msu.edu/gift/

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