The 64th annual Manatee County Land Judging competition, hosted by the Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District (MRSWCD), was held on February 20th at the Southwest Florida Water Management District Ed Chance Reserve Gilley Creek Tract. The Manatee County Extension Service Soils Unit coordinated the contest. More than 40 students answered a variety of questions concerning the soil properties of four fields in criteria such as slope, depth, texture, permeability, erosion, and nutrients. One of the fields represented a potential homesite location, and students were questioned on how well the land could serve as a building site. Top teams from the local contest will go on to represent Manatee County in the State Land Judging Contest in April.
Manatee County Results
Middle School FFA
Adrianna Frisse, FFA student from Buffalo Creek Middle School, won the I.H. Stewart Award, sponsored by Kimley-Horn and Associates with the highest individual overall score.
A team from Buffalo Creek Middle School – Adrianna Frisse, Marlee Schaal, Willow Pomatto, and Cody Rhoades, advised by Steven Harber – won the Callon Keen Sr. Award, sponsored by the Keen family, for the highest scoring team overall. The same team won the Travis Seawright Award sponsored by Manatee County Land Judging Alumni for placing highest in the middle school division.
Finishing in second place was another FFA team from Buffalo Creek Middle School – Aubrey Weber, Caroline Steward, Maci Meyer, and Russ Peterson. Another team from Buffalo Creek Middle School placed third – Rowan Morie, Savannah Primrose, Viktor Krywko, and Auburn Phillips. Steven Harber advised all Buffalo Creek Middle School students.
Also participating in the contest were students from Braden River Middle School FFA, advised by Jane Beach, and a guest team from Orange County representing Ocoee High School. The Ocoee High School team coached by Travis Eisentraut, was not competing.
High School FFA
A team from Parrish Community High School – Ciara Cannon, Kallee Rhoades, Savanna Schue, and Alex Ryherd – placed first in the FFA high school division.
Finishing in second place was the FFA team from Palmetto High School – Colby Fowler, Brendan Perry, Kayla Burkhardt, and Hailey Yawn. Julie Tillett advised all Palmetto High School students. A team from Parrish Community High School placed third – Caitlyn Ryherd, Sophia Austine, Marley Miller, and Aiyana Sutton. Susan Grainger advised Parrish Community High School students.
4-H
In the 4-H senior division, the team comprised of Cole Arrant, Jake Pritchett, Micah Foy, and Clayton Reagan placed first. Placing first in the 4-H junior division were Lillian Reagan, Emma Hakes, Amanda Hakes, and Barrett Woodham. All 4-H students were coached by Amy and Tom Arrant.
Sponsors, staff, and volunteers
Stephanie (Lisl) Townsend, Resource Soil Scientist in the USDA NRCS Gainesville State Office served as Chief Judge. MRSWCD Supervisors Buddy Keen, Julie Tillett attended, as did recent land judging alumnus John Keen. The Keens assisted with presenting the medals and plaques. The Callon Keen Sr. award, Travis Seawright Award, and I.H. Stewart Award were presented by the Keens. Thanks to the Keen Family, Kimley-Horn and Associates, and the Manatee County Land Judging Alumni for plaque sponsorship. Lunch was sponsored by Bart Hoopingarner representing Gowan. The Mosaic Company sponsored the medals for the students, and an event tent. Staff from both Manatee and Sarasota County Agriculture & Extension Services, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service were instrumental in conducting a successful contest. Thanks to the Southwest Florida Water Management District for the use of their land. After the contest, Chief Judge Townsend reviewed the results with the students.
For more information visit http://landjudging.org/
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