Over the past month, the Wessington Springs FFA has kept busy with beginning the school year and jumping directly into Land and Range Judging. Both inside and outside of class, several students have been working hard in the pursuit of a spot at National Land and Range Judging in Oklahoma this spring.
To further explain these competitions, land judging consists of examining the land to discover the ideal farming practices and overall land class, using the soil texture, erosion, slope, and more. Along with land judging, homesite judging is included in the same competition at a state level. Homesite judging is very similar, as the same factors of the land are examined. However, the goal is to determine the compatibility for urban residency, homes, and other buildings. The competitors must determine how the land would be able to support foundations for buildings, lawns and landscaping, septic systems, and sewage lagoons. Range judging is equally important, as competitors must examine plants and name their characteristics, determining their desirability to farmers and landowners. They are expected to remember if each individual plant is native or introduced; invasive or noninvasive; perennial, annual, or biannual; warm or cool season; and ultimately desirable or undesirable.
Learning is essential to these activities, thus several students from the chapter participated in the SBA Land and Range School on the ninth of September. Although no competition was involved, members were able to learn many details and skills through hands-on practice, lectures, and careful observation of plants, land, and soil. These abilities proved to be very useful as practice continued.
A week following this, many of the same students arrived ready to work at a practice Land and Range Event in Redfield, although a little late due to roadwork and cows on the path! These students became aware of their own strengths and weaknesses within their competition as they were able to view their scores in each individual area. These competitors made Wessington Springs proud with the highest team score in both land and range, with the homesite score receiving a close second place! This event was great preparation for the upcoming competition that will determine whether or not they qualify for the national competition in Oklahoma in the spring.
With further land and range judging coming up, along with our Leadership Development Events (LDEs) under preparation, the FFA chapter will remain busy next month. On September 30th, the students competing in land and range will put their skills to the test as they compete for a spot at nationals at the South Central Regional Land and Range Competition. Additionally, on October 12, the chapter officers will host a petting zoo that Elementary students will be able to attend during the school day. The petting zoo will be a fun, agricultural way to involve younger students in FFA events and activities, as well as allow local students involved with FFA to showcase their animals of all kinds.
Our chapter is truly excited and determined to accomplish success as we continue to participate in competitions, learn in the classroom, and prepare events for both ourselves and the entire community. We are working hard to maintain our success, help others, and learn endless details about agriculture!