UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences offers unique opportunities for hands-on learning, such as the soil judging team, which provides students interested in soil science with a way to develop field interpretation skills while having fun.
“Soil judging is an outstanding activity that links the classroom with field experience,” said Patrick Drohan, professor of pedology and faculty adviser for the team. “During competitions, students also learn to mentally commit to making very complex decisions. The group judging aspect is outstanding at building interpersonal skills critical for successful teamwork in a work situation.”
Team member Red McLeod, of Portland, Maine, is a rising senior majoring in environmental resource management specializing in soil science. McLeod heard about the team from friends.
“We get to put the skills we learn from class to use in the field,” McLeod said. “Being out in the field helps me better understand coursework.”
Lauren Turner, of Philipsburg, is also a senior environmental resource management major with a soil science option, with minors in geographic information systems and wildlife and fisheries science. For Turner, being part of the soil judging team runs in the family — her older brother was also part of the team during his time at Penn State.
“There’s a big emphasis on learning and hands-on experience,” Turner said. “Soil judging helps you understand and apply what you learn in class, but it’s never boring. Rain or shine, you'll be in a soil pit with people who share your interests.”
Turner said the students learn transferable skills, including describing, classifying and interpreting soil based on its characteristics.
“The soil judging team is a wonderful opportunity to meet people and get closer with classmates interested in the same things as you are,” McLeod said. “I’ve made many friends from the team, and it’s a wonderful group of people and support network.”
Turner added that it’s a good way to make professional connections. “I’ve spoken with soil scientists, conservationists and others in the agricultural field who volunteer to help at contests,” she said. “Many were in soil judging themselves and have given great advice to students.”
Earlier this year, the team attended the National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest hosted by Iowa State University. During the week, the team learned more about local soil types and practiced before the main event.
For the contest itself, large pits are dug in the ground. The students are given the number of horizons or layers and lab data. They examine the horizons and must describe them fully, including depth, color, type, structure, texture, clay content and other characteristics.
“It was really exciting this year,” Turner said. “Four teams, including Penn State, tied for fourth place in group judging. Our team placed sixth out of twenty-five teams after the tiebreaker.”
McLeod added, “Seeing how I did on my scorecard was interesting because it showed things that need improvement or information I need to study more.”
Turner credited Drohan, research technologist Annie McGraw and graduate student Chyvonne Jessick with making the team a great student experience. “One of the reasons why I love soil judging is the team and their enthusiasm, and this year’s nationals was an absolute blast,” she said.
McLeod said that besides learning in the classroom, the College of Agricultural Sciences has given them many opportunities to learn more through travel, research opportunities, events and extracurriculars.
After she graduates in December, Turner plans to be a soil conservationist or enter a similar field. She said soil science is her passion, and her main goal is to work in conservation and natural resources. McLeod is interested in a career in soil analysis or coastal soil erosion research.