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SOILS — Area 8 and 10 students measure and record soil characteristics during the Area Soils Judging at Schwenk Farms.
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Area 8 and 10 Ag Soils Judging Text and Photos By LIBBY HUBBARD Staff Writer More than 300 students from across northern Indiana gathered at Tom Schwenk’s farm this week for the Area 8 and Area 10 4-H/ FFA Soil Judging Career Development Events, testing their knowledge of soil science, land use and agriculture while working sideby-side with educators, farmers and Purdue Extension leaders. “This is a really cool contest because it’s hands-on and gets kids outside the classroom,” said Ron Wamsley, state soil judging coordinator. “Let’s be honest, they like that part. But at the same time, there are careers involved here. We’re trying to develop skills so they’ll have placement later down the road.” Students rotated through soil pits dug across Schwenk’s Farm, filling out Scantron sheets and
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evaluating textures, drainage and land suitability. Coaches and judges from Purdue Extension and local schools oversaw the process before critiquing the answers and reviewing soil science concepts with the competitors. In Area 8 results, Lindy Armstrong of Rochester FFA took first in the Junior division, Sarah Snavely of North Miami FFA led the Masters, and Maddy Willis of Lewis Cass FFA won Senior FFA and 4-H. In Area 10, Kade Jones of Tippecanoe Valley FFA won Junior, Sydney Bauman of Argos FFA placed first in Senior FFA, and Lindsay Petersen of Tippecanoe Valley FFA claimed first in Masters. Petersen’s Tippecanoe Valley #2 team also won Master Overall, rounding out a strong showing for the school. “It’s really exciting to see these students push themselves,” said Continued on page 2
VALLEY — Tippecanoe Valley High School agriculture students Lillian Dunbar, left, Hayden Stookey and Lindsay Petersen recorded soil data during the Area Soils Judging at Schwenk Farms.
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