PLYMOUTH — On Sept. 26, Richland County FFA chapters competed at the Richland County Urban and Rural Soil Judging Contest.
Olivia Balkin finished 1st overall. Addison Slone was 7th, Gianna Hughes 16th, Kendall Oakley 25th overall with the Plymouth FFA team placing second overall.
“We had a good team this year with a good turnout with little practice,” Balkin said. “In the beginning, we were a little nervous about being split up into different groups to compete.
“We definitely had room for improvement but in the end we were all confident and very proud of ourselves. It was a good experience for my senior and final year for judging.”
FFA members from Plymouth, Shelby, Clear Fork, Crestview, Lucas, Lexington, and Pioneer Career and Technology center gathered for a friendly FFA competition.
The Plymouth FFA hosted the contest and served members and guests lunch after the contest.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service states, “FFA soil judging contests are excellent for teaching high school students about soils and how to manage them and for reaching out to potential future soil scientists and conservationists by sharing information about career opportunities.”
The Plymouth FFA chapter would like to thank Mr. Nick Laferty and his son Kade of Ag Repair Service for serving as the host site for the contest.
“We would also like to thank Mrs. Nellie Felty and Mrs. Gretchen Huttleston for making soups to feed everyone and Mrs. Sonja Reer, Mrs. Rosie Reer, Mrs. Monica Baxter, Mrs. Barb Gilger, Mrs. Pat Laser, Mrs. Jane Yaeger and Mrs. Pam Hugel for making desserts for those in attendance to enjoy,” the club stated.
“Thank you also to Mr. Leonard Felty for all of his help with logistics and lastly thank you to the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resource Conservation District for their support with running the contest and for sponsoring the scantrons.”
Submitted by Nicole Beverage, Plymouth FFA Reporter