Co-hosted by the Montgomery Soil & Water Conservation District and Austin Peay State University high school students studying agriculture and conservation come together to compete in a soil/land judging contest. Teamwork from Montgomery County Highway Dept., USDA-NRCS soil scientists and soil conservationists, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, Montgomery Co UT Extension, the Farm Bureau Women and surrounding county District employees take part in this regional effort. Held in September of each year on the APSU FARM (Pickens Rd).
Land judging trains youth in decision-making skills related to soil and water conservation. Team members will learn:
- How to determine the physical characteristics of the soil
- How to interpret this information for decision-making regarding usage and management practices for this soil
- How to predict the limitations of this soil and expected crop yields
- How this soil will affect the quality of ground and surface water
- How this soil will be adapted to a possible home site
Each member works independently and the top high three scores are combined to make up the team score. During the contest, at least four pits or sites will be evaluated. All students go on to compete in the regional and state competitions.
Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District 