FFA wins Soils Judging Competition

Pocahontas County High School FFA members won the Southeastern Regional Soils Judging Competition April 28.  The competition was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Simmons, of Hillsboro. 

Students had to evaluate land class factors including surface texture, soil depth, erosion, permeability, internal drainage, surface runoff and estimate slope and determine flood hazards.  Students then placed soils into their capability classes.  After determining the soil limiting factors, students recommended vegetative and mechanical practices, as well as lime and fertilizer applications. 

PCHS FFA members participating included Jeremiah Grimes, of Bartow, who was the high scorer; Ben Davis, of Minnehaha Springs; Savannah Arbogast, of Boyer; and Jeffrey Schebek, who lives in the Hill Country. 

The FFA Team has qualified for the State Land Judging Competition which will be held in Ripley as a part of the State FFA Convention at Cedar Lakes in July. 

Mitchell Chevrolet and Adam Taylor, of Arbovale, assisted the team by donating their time and equipment to excavate practice pits and competition pits for the students.

Other high schools competing in the Southeastern Regional Soils Judging were Greenbrier East, Greenbrier West, Raleigh Liberty, Shady Springs, Surveyor, Summers County, Monroe County and Mercer County.