By Scout Nelson
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln soil judging team achieved an impressive result by placing fifth overall at the Region V Collegiate Soil Judging Contest. The competition brought together students from several universities across the Midwest and Great Plains, providing an opportunity to test their knowledge and practical skills in soil science.
A total of 78 students from multiple institutions participated in the event, which was held in southern Missouri. The competition was designed to help students develop and demonstrate their ability to evaluate soils and understand how soil properties influence agriculture, land management, and environmental decisions.
Representing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln were Lara Arnold, Sydney Honaker, Lauren Rice, Diego Sanchez, and Fiona Wynn. Their strong teamwork and preparation helped the university earn fourth place in the group judging portion of the contest. Several team members also received notable individual rankings. Sydney Honaker finished eighth among all competitors; Diego Sanchez placed twelfth, and Lauren Rice earned eighteenth place.
The event offered much more than competition. Students spent several days studying and practicing at multiple field sites before the official judging activities began. During these practice sessions, they examined different soil profiles and learned how unique environmental conditions affect soil characteristics.
The contest focused on real-world skills that are important for future careers in agriculture, environmental science, land management, and natural resource conservation. Students evaluated soil properties, examined site conditions, and used their observations to make land-use recommendations. These experiences help prepare participants for professional work in soil science and related fields.
One of the most educational aspects of the competition was the opportunity to study soils in the Ozarks region. According to team coach Becky Young, the area presents a very different environment compared to many locations in the Midwest and Great Plains. The region’s soils are older and have unique characteristics because they were not covered by glaciers during ancient ice ages.
“The Ozarks are geologically unique compared to the areas where most of the competing teams are located,” said Becky Young.
She also explained that the soils in the area are highly weathered and contain large amounts of rock fragments. Some soil layers are dense and restrict water movement and plant root growth, creating challenges that students do not commonly encounter in Nebraska.
“The soils were more oxidized than most soils in the Upper Great Plains and the Midwest. They’re very rocky with chert and fragipans – subsoil horizons that are dense, brittle and restrict water movement and plant root growth. They feel like rock or concrete when they’re dry.”
Weather conditions also created challenges for participants. Nebraska experienced significant rainfall before the event, making it difficult for students to find suitable practice conditions. In contrast, southern Missouri faced severe drought conditions, resulting in very dry and dusty soils.
“Lincoln has received a lot of rain since July, so it was challenging for our team to find time where the soils were dry enough to practice before leaving for the competition,” Young said. “We also had to keep in mind that southern Missouri has been in a severe drought for most of the year, so the soils and pits were very dry and dusty, making them difficult to work with.”
Beyond the contest itself, students explored natural areas such as the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and Mark Twain National Forest. These visits helped them better understand the landscapes and environmental conditions that shape the region’s soils.
“We immersed ourselves in the forests of those landscapes on a few short hikes, and learned about how the communities here started, adapted and survived in such a rugged area,” Young said.
Photo Credit: University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Categories: Nebraska, Education