Wayne County FFA students dig into the science of soil

Long before a seed is planted, the land itself has the final say about what will happen. That’s why nearly 100 Wayne County FFA members from Norwayne, Northwestern, Smithville, Triway and the Wayne County Schools Career Center recently took part in the annual Soil Judging Career Development Event, an exercise in understanding the very foundation of agriculture.

The contest, hosted this year by the WCSCC, was more than a competition; it was a hands-on lesson in how soils shape farming, construction and conservation.

Students rotated through field sites, digging deep into soil pits to evaluate characteristics such as texture, color, depth, slope and drainage. Using this information, they classified the land into one of eight capability classes, ranging from fertile, easily managed farmland to steep or eroded land suitable only for wildlife or forestry.

“Being so close to the beginning of the school year, the students jump right into soil judging,” said Alexandria DeWitt, WCSCC FFA adviser. “It’s a hard contest with a lot of memorization and knowing a lot about the different soils and their uses.”

In Wayne County, where agriculture is a cornerstone of the economy, knowing the capability of the soil is more than an academic exercise. It’s essential for decision-making. A sandy soil that drains quickly may be well-suited for certain crops but not others. Clay-heavy soil can hold nutrients but may require careful management to prevent waterlogging. Even slope and erosion risk influence the practices — such as terracing, crop rotation or cover crops — that are necessary to keep the land productive.

Beyond farming, students learned how soil affects construction and land development. Homesite evaluation tasks ask participants to consider septic suitability, drainage needs and erosion control — skills that transfer to careers in engineering, conservation and environmental science.

The competition challenged students to apply classroom lessons in the field, blending science with critical thinking. Each contestant completed a scorecard at multiple sites, earning points for correctly identifying soil features, land classes and recommending conservation practices. The best teams and individuals advance from county to district, then to state and ultimately to a national contest in Oklahoma City. According to DeWitt, all the participating Wayne County schools with FFA chapters have teams advancing to the state competition.

However, for local organizers, the event’s true reward is preparing students for the future.

“These students work extremely hard to study for this contest,” DeWitt said. “Without everyone’s hard work and preparation, almost 100 students wouldn’t have this opportunity.”

Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation District staff, Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute and local soil scientists all partner to make the contest possible, underscoring its importance to both education and community stewardship.

“Industry partners’ knowledge is invaluable,” DeWitt said. “I appreciate their willingness to help host the contest.”

For Wayne County students, soil judging is about understanding the land they live on and the responsibility of caring for it well into the future.

Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.