South Dakota State University Extension announced that 133 youth participated in the 41st annual Rangeland and 20th annual Soil Days contests on June 10-11, 2025, in Belle Fourche.
Jerauld County 4-H was the top soil contest team. Members Ella Fagerhaug, Remie Roduner, Kohen Mebius and Max Klein will represent South Dakota at the National Land and Range Judging Contest in 2026.
The soil contest is for ages 14-18 with the option to compete in 4-H or FFA divisions. By participating in this contest, students learn how to determine soil texture and type, understand soil limiting factors and provide management recommendations. The homesite evaluation portion helps students determine suitability of the site for building foundations, landscaping, septic systems and more.
A joint effort between SDSU Extension, South Dakota Society for Range Management, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Butte/ Lawrence Conservation Districts, Rangeland and Soil Days gave youth an opportunity to compete through displays, presentations, a land and homesite judging contest and a rangeland judging contest.
There are four divisions in the rangeland contest: New Rangers (ages 8-10), Wranglers (ages 11-13), Scouts (ages 14-18) and Go-Getters (ages 14-18 4-H or FFA). By participating in this contest, students learn how to identify ecological sites, determine cattle carrying capacity, evaluate prairie grouse habitat, plant identification and provide management recommendations.
Haakon/Corson County was the top Rangeland Contest Go-Getter 4-H team, whose members were Katelyn Gebhart, Darla Barnes, Mackenzie Hovland and Molly Harty. They will represent South Dakota at the National Land and Range Judging Contest in 2026 in Yukon, Oklahoma.
The top Rangeland Contest Go-Getter FFA team was Sturgis FFA, whose members were Ellie Storm, Larie Cichosz, Aydan Rhodes and Quintin Kelly.
“We had a fantastic turnout this year. The future of soil, land, and range is bright for South Dakota,” said Kaylee Wheeler, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist. “Rangeland and Soil Days helps our youth learn about our most important natural resources and threatened ecosystems (soil and rangelands). It’s also a great opportunity to build leadership skills, as well as make connections with fellow peers and professionals in range and soil sciences.”