Digging into the future
FFA students from 10 high schools listen as soil scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture explain the characteristics of the soil at Poe Family Farms in Hartline for the Columbia Basin Conservation District’s land evaluation contest.
COURTESY PHOTO/CBCD
Students from Liberty High School show their certificates as the first-place winners in the land evaluation contest hosted by the Columbia Basin Conservation District.
COURTESY PHOTO/CBCD
On Oct. 14, more than 100 students from 10 high schools across Eastern Washington, from East Valley to Prosser, gathered in Hartline for a land evaluation competition hosted by the Columbia Basin Conservation District. Congratulations to Liberty High School for taking first place in the competition.
The competition gave FFA students an opportunity to put their soil knowledge to the test and learn how land characteristics influence the way land can be used.
Students evaluated soil types, permeability, slope, frost-free days, nutrient information and other soil characteristics to determine land capability classifications. They classified land ranging from prime farmland (Classes 1-4) to rangeland (Classes 6-8), learning how soil and landscape conditions affect agricultural production and land management. Students also evaluated a separate soil pit focused on homesite suitability, using a different set of criteria to determine whether the ground would be appropriate for building a home.
CBCD would like to extend a special thank you to Poe Family Farms for generously allowing us to use their property and for digging the soil pits that made this learning experience possible. We also appreciate Lind-Ritzville High School for helping develop the student packets used throughout the competition.
Events like this provide students with valuable opportunities to build practical skills, explore careers in agriculture and natural resources, and gain a better understanding of the land that supports our communities. At the Columbia Basin Conservation District, evaluating the land based on soil type and slope is an essential part of our everyday work. We’re excited to see the next generation develop these valuable skills and put them to use in their future careers.
To learn more about the Columbia Basin Conservation District, visit www.columbiabasincd.org.
Students from Liberty High School show their certificates as the first-place winners in the land evaluation contest hosted by the Columbia Basin Conservation District.