The Southmont FFA Soils judging team competed in the 72nd Annual National Land Judging Contest in Oklahoma on May 4. The team of Cole Rhodes, Gabriel Little, Caden Sixberry and Kelsey Thompson placed third in the National Land Judging Contest. This is Southmont’s highest placing in the National Land Judging Contest. The team qualified for the national competition by placing first in the Indiana FFA State Soils Judging Contest last October.
There were 93 teams from all across the country competing in the contest which included 364 individuals. The team scored one point less than the national champion, so they represented Southmont and Indiana well. Individually out of 364 contestants Cole Rhoads placed fourth, Gabriel Little placed 11th, Caden Sixberry placed 42nd, and Kelsey Thompson placed 48th.
The Land Judging Contest encompasses a wide range of soil properties. The contest required individuals to determine soil surface texture, subsoil texture, depth of soil, slope, erosion, permeability, surface runoff, land capability class, vegetative treatments, mechanical treatments, and fertilizer recommendations for four different soil sites.
Southmont also competed in The National Homesite Contest placing 15th out of 56 teams. Individually out of 219 contestants Cole Rhoads placed 26th, Gabriel Little placed 34th, Kelsey Thompson placed 90th, and Caden Sixberry placed 104th.
