NEWS RELEASE:
NEWARK — The Buckeye Central FFA soils team had a successful day at the Ohio FFA Soil Judging contest at Dawes Arboretum in Newark last Saturday.
Once again, the Buckeye Central FFA is Oklahoma bound for the National Land Judging contest after having a successful day at the state competition.
The urban team, consisting of Alivia Niese, Steven Long, Tommy Phillips and Emma Rhodes, placed third overall out of 47 teams.
The urban soil judging contest evaluates the soil properties and makes management recommendations to land owners in regard to building a home with a basement, as well as installing a septic system, driveway and landscape.
The individual scores for the urban team were Alivia Niese in second, Steven Long placing 21st, Tommy Phillips placed 61st and Emma Rhodes placed 41st. A total of 173 students participated in the contest statewide.
“My favorite part was having fun with my friends and it feels good to place third as a team,” Rhodes said. “I’m excited to go to nationals and compete with my friends.”
The rural team had a successful day as well placing sixth in the state out of 49 teams.
The rural contest evaluates the soil properties and makes agricultural management practice recommendations to the landowner in order to protect the soil from erosion, compaction as well as to improve soil fertility and water quality.
The rural team consisted of Graham Geissman, Owen Diesch, Lauren Mann and Cadence Vaughn.
The individual scores for the rural team were Graham Geissman 24th, Lauren Mann 27th, Cadence Vaughn 41st and Owen Diesch 114th. All of which were based out of a total of 183 students.
The Bucks soils teams will be represented in Oklahoma for National Soils once again, making it the sixth straight year that Buckeye Central has qualified for the National Land Judging contest.
In 2017, the Bucks placed fourth in the nation, and in 2018 they placed sixth in the nation.
This year’s team looks forward to continuing the tradition and representing Ohio and Buckeye Central in Oklahoma.