West Central FFA members displayed their understanding of land and range management principles at the southeast region competition held near Wall Lake on September 24th. In the land judging contest, students determine soil texture and structure, identify how the land will drain, if erosion is an issue, and make management recommendations based on the conditions of the land. Students also rate the land and it’s ease of use for building foundations, lawns and landscaping, septic or sewer systems.
The team of Eva Healy, Kane Grace, Elliott Healy, and Haily Chitwood placed third in the contest. Eva was the second place individual in the competition.
Left to right – Haily Chitwood, Kane Grace, Elliott Healy, and Eva Healy
In Range judging, students identify plants found on the prairie or grasslands, and determine the ecological site and the similarity of the plant population to the ideal for a given site. Students then give recommendations for the management of the location for beef and grouse populations. Students must know characteristics for each of the 103 plants to include the lifespan, growth season, plant origin, and desirability for grouse or cattle food and habitat for grouse.
The team of Samuel Handberg, Kenasyn Johnson, Blake Tuschen, and Stella Siemonsma placed first in the contest earning a berth to the National FFA Range judging contest in Oklahoma City in May. Samuel placed first in the contest followed by his teammates in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively.
L to R – Samuel Handberg, Blake Tuschen, Kenasyn Johnson, Stela Siemonsma
Other members earning medals in land include Landon O’Kane and Noah Erickson. Range medals also were awarded to Holly Berg, Hailey Goebel, Alex Siemonsma, Lyric Riepma, Cody Opitz, and Cain Grocott
