The Polk County High School FFA Land Judging Team came in second in the Senior Division at the 57th Annual North Carolina FFA Association Land Judging Career Development Event held April 1 – 2, in Macon County, N.C

By placing in the top five, they are eligible to compete in the National Land, Pasture and Range Judging Event in Oklahoma City, Okla., in May. This is the second year in a row Polk County High School FFA will be sending a team to Oklahoma and the third in the last five years. This year’s team members include Shalyn Brown (sophomore), Natalie Hilbig (junior), Jenny Page (junior) and Sam Vining (junior).

Agricultural education instructor Chauncey Barber said, “These kids have been focused on going to nationals since winning the junior division last year. It is nice to see their hard work pay off and get this opportunity.”

Once a team competes at the national level they are unable to participate in the event again.

The junior team also competed and placed fourth overall in the junior division and second in the western region. Team members include Caley Modlin (freshman, fifth overall score), Amber Lynch (sophomore) and Mackenzie McCool (freshman).

Barber said, “These kids have come a long way and expects them to be another special group.”

This event encourages students to analyze land characteristics such as soil type, erosion and drainage to determine the best possible use. Knowledge about soils can be organized and applied in managing farms, fields and woodlands, developing communities as well as engineering work. Students are able to comprehend why soils respond differently to management practices and how soil properties affect crop growth, urban areas and environmental uses.

The Polk County Soil and Water, Polk County Farm Bureau and Buy Sod and Carolina Farm Credit sponsored the senior team for their trip to Oklahoma. Anyone wishing to help support the students trip can contact Chauncey Barber at 828-894-2525.