South Dakota students showcased their talent and expertise at the recently concluded National Land and Homesite Judging Contest, with the Spink County 4-H team securing an impressive second-place finish.
The contest, held in El Reno, Oklahoma on May 4, featured four categories: 4-H Land, FFA Land, 4-H Homesite, and FFA Homesite. To qualify for the national competition, teams from each state had to emerge victorious in their respective regions. South Dakota was well-represented, with two 4-H and five FFA teams participating.
The students received valuable guidance and practice from Caroline Hansen, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Davison and Hanson counties, as well as Lance Howe and Rachel Crowther from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The competition encompassed both land and homesite evaluation, requiring participants to demonstrate their understanding of various soil parameters, including slope, texture, structure, land capability, and recommended treatments.
In the 4-H Homesite category, Spink County's team secured an impressive second place out of 13 teams. Team members Harlee Nielson and Mikael Nielson achieved individual success by claiming the third and fourth positions respectively out of 46 competitors. McCook County's 4-H team also performed admirably, securing the eighth position.
The McCook County 4-H team competed in the 4-H Land category and attained the twelfth spot out of 15 teams. The FFA Land category saw the Kadoka FFA team excel, securing the nineteenth position out of 93 teams. Hitchcock-Tulare and De Smet FFA teams also displayed commendable performances, ranking twenty-third and twenty-seventh respectively.
In the FFA Homesite category, the De Smet FFA team achieved a noteworthy milestone by securing the tenth position out of 56 teams. Kadoka's FFA team also performed well, claiming the sixteenth spot. Tri-Valley's FFA team demonstrated their skills by securing the forty-eighth position.
These achievements highlight the dedication and knowledge of South Dakota's 4-H and FFA students in the field of land and homesite evaluation. Their participation in the contest not only serves as a testament to their hard work but also emphasizes the importance of soil conservation and land stewardship.
Photo Credit: istockgetty-images-plus-claraveritas
Categories: South Dakota, Business