Land Judging

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Purpose

The purpose of the land judging contest is to increase awareness of the importance of our soil resources and educate students on the diversity of soils. The contest will introduce them to the basics of soil assessment and proper management for agricultural and urban land uses. 

 

Objectives

1. Teach students the basic physical and chemical characteristics of soil that impact the agricultural productivity of soils. 
2. Teach students the basic soil characteristics that influence the soil's susceptibility to erosion and proper conservation practices. 
3. Teach students how physical characteristics of soil influence the suitability of a site for urban development. 

Event Rules

1. No talking, comparing, or copying of cards. 
2. Clear plastic clipboards are allowed. 
3. No water bottles. Water to moisten soil will be provided as needed. 
4. No bubble vile, tape measure, or other measuring devices are allowed. 
5. The land-judging handbook shall be used to resolve contest differences and should be used in setting up and conducting all contests. 
6. Decisions of the judges will be FINAL! 
7. The high three scores will be considered as the official team score. 
8. Transportation to and from the actual contest site is the responsibility of the FFA chapters and will not be provided. 
9. The top five (5) teams selected at the OSU Interscholastic contest will be eligible to represent Oklahoma in the National Land Judging contest held annually during the first week in May in Oklahoma City. Contact the State FFA for details. 
10. The most recent Land Judging Manual No. 4H.HPS.101, used for the National Land Judging School and Contest, will be the authority for rules, placing, and grading. This manual can be downloaded in pdf format at www.landjudging.com and hard copies can be requested from Jason Warren through e-mail jason.warren@okstate.edu 

 

Event Format

Team Make-Up

1. Each school may enter one land judging team composed of three or four members who will constitute a team. 
2. The team can participate in the land, homesite, or both contests. 
3. No individuals or partials teams will be allowed to compete. 

Equipment

1. A soft, #2, lead writing pencil with a good eraser 
2. Knife or nail 
3. Towel or rag 
4. Clipboard (prefer clear) 
5. Contest cards

Event Schedule

Each contestant shall complete the event in the time allotted: 

• The Land and Homesite contests will be conducted simultaneously. Contestants participating in both will be given sufficient time to complete each card. 

Land Contest

• The land contest will consist of evaluating 4 sites. At each site, the Land Capability (Part 1) and Land Management (Part 2) will be judged by contestants.

 

Scoring

Land Contest

Part 1 - 180 points

Part 2 - 120 points

Total Points

Individual - 300

Team - 900

 

Tiebreakers 

Ties will be broken by the alternate’s score, and if still tied, they will be broken by the procedure outlined in the land judging manual.

 

Awards

In addition to the trophies and other awards presented in each contest, the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences will also award a $500 scholarship to the highest-scoring high school senior in the land and homesite judging contests who is first to enroll at OSU and major in Plant and Soil Sciences.

 

References

For National contest guidelines, please visit the following website: www.landjudging.com

 

Supplemental Materials and Forms

Land Form 601-3Downloadable Land Judging Manual