The Polk FFA Chapter participated in the 63rd Annual North Carolina FFA Association Land Judging Career Development Event on Nov. 12 in Henderson County.

The senior team consisting of Aaron Adams, Haley Robinson, Nori Saunderson and Mackenzie Blackwell took all first place honors in the federation and second in the western region and third in the state senior division. The team qualified for the National Land Judging Finals held in Oklahoma City, Okla. later in the spring of 2017. 

The junior team consisting Matt Mullis, Taylor Newton, Natalee Davis and David Horton placed first in the federation, second in the western region and fifth in the state junior division. 

This event encourages students in grades 7-12 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 and urban uses as well as environmental concerns.

The top three teams and high scoring individual will be recognized during the 89th North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh on June 20-22, 2017. 

This event is one of 43 different career development events offered to North Carolina FFA members on the state level.  The Soil Science Society of North Carolina sponsors this event, and Duke Energy is the title sponsor.

If you are interested in helping sponsor the Polk County High School FFA Land Judging Team’s trip to Oklahoma please contact Chauncey Barber at 828-894-2525 or
cbarber@polkschools.org.

– article submitted by Chauncey Barber