LAND JUDGING CONTEST Revised 6/009 Purpose and Standards The land event seeks to effectively make students aware of the value of soils in production agriculture, environment and society. Foundation Standards: Mathematics 0.0,.0. Science a. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking.,.,.3. Leadership & Teamwork 9., 9.6. Technical Knowledge & Skills 0., 0.. Demonstration & Application.0. Agricultural Standards: Agriscience Pathway: C0., 0., 0.3. Forestry and Natural Resources Pathway: E3., 3., 3.3. Plant and Soil Science Pathway: G6., 6., 7.3. Contestants Teams shall consist of three or four members. The scores of the three highest team members shall be used for the team score. All team members are eligible for individual awards. Classes Clas s # # #3 #4 Tota l Individual Points Team Points 00 300 00 300 00 300 00 300 400 00 Tie Breaker Team and individual ties will be broken by the following items: Teams: First, pit # at Fresno & Cal Poly, SLO, second pit # at Fresno and Cal Poly, SLO. If a tie still exists go to the scores on pit #3 & #4. If team ties cannot be resolved by any of the above means, a coin flip will be used. Individual ties will be broken by scores on two pits determined by contest coordinator. 7_B04.doc
Sub-contest Awards Sub-contest awards will be given for high teams and individuals in the following areas: #, #, #3, and #4. Rules I. There will be four (4) sites judged for official score. II. All contestants shall be allowed forty (40) minutes at each site to complete the score card. Twenty minutes shall be allowed in the pit. III. All contestants must fill out the official score card and will be graded according to points shown on the score card. A total of one hundred (00) points will be the maximum score for each site. IV. Contestants in land judging will be divided into four groups. Only one group shall be allowed at any one site at the same time. Only one member of a team shall be allowed in a group. V. All the following equipment for contestants will be available at the judging sites. A. Water B. Rulers C. Pick and/or shovel D. Paper towels VI. The top five () teams of this contest shall be eligible to represent the state in the National VII. Contest in Oklahoma City. Contestants are not to bring clipboards, printed or written materials to the contest. Contestants may use calculators, clinometers, abney levels, or slope indicators. VIII. The following will be done at the State Finals Contest (Fresno State & Cal Poly SLO): A. No critique will be given until all sites have been judged. B. An answer key will be provided to coaches after contest judging is complete. C. The official California FFA Land Judging Manual (Revised 997 th edition) will be used as the standard for evaluating all land judging scorecards. D. No alternates are allowed to compete. IX. Sites A. The boundary of each site to be judged will be plainly and visibly flagged with numerous flags. Slope will be indicated by two red flags 00 feet apart. B. The soil will be judged moist for color determination. C. A 3 x sign will be posted at each site or a mimeo sheet provided with the following information.. Water available (yes or no). Original depth of surface soil (inches) D. The pits should be a maximum of 7 inches deep. If this is not possible, the bottom soil shall be considered to be of indefinite depth. Each site will be repaired, by an official, to its original depth and conditions after each group is finished. E. Stakes will be placed in the pits indicating the limits of the profiles to be judged. An area at least " wide, the depth of the pit, will be left untouched to show original condition. 7_B04.doc
X. The official California FFA Land Judging Manual (Revised 997 th edition). A. The Cal Poly Soils Club will publish the Soils Manual. B. Manuals will be made available to official judges prior to judging the sites. XI. Scoring A. Individual Scores: For overall high individuals in the State Finals Contest, Cal Poly scores ONLY will be used. B. The state champion will be determined by a combination of Fresno State and Cal Poly SLO state finals team and individual judging scores. Contestants competing from one chapter at each contest can be different but if a school wins the state title then ALL students competing at both contests are ineligible and would not be allowed to compete any longer in the Land contest. 7_B04.doc 3
Category Scoring of individual items will be as follows:. Surface Soil Poin ts Notes A. Color B. Texture 3 C. Gravel and Rock 3 4 D. Thickness 3. Subsoil No Subsoil Indicate NONE for E,F,G E. Color 6 F. Texture 7 G. Thickness 3 3. Interpretation of Soil Features 8 H. Type of Material That Limits Depth 9 I. Parent or Underlying Material 0 J. Depth of Soil Favorable For Roots & Water Penetration K. Air & Water Movement L. Available Water Holding Capacity to 60 Inches 4. Accelerated Erosion 3 4 M. Amount of Erosion or Evidence of Deposition 3 N. Kind of Erosion 3. Topography O. Landscape Position 3 7_B04.doc 4
6 7 8 9 P. Steepness of Slope 6. Land Capability Classification 8 7. Land Use total of up to 3 choices* 8. Major Problems in Use total of up to 3 choices* 9. Land Management Needs 0 Q. Agricultural Management Practices 3 total of up to 3 choices* R. Erosion Control 3 total of up to 3 choices* S. Irrigation Methods 3 total of up to 3 choices* 0. Urban Land Limitations 3 4 6 7 T. Limitations For Septic Tank Filter Fields U. Limitations For Shrink-Swell V. Limitations For Foundations Without Basements W. Limitations For Local Roads and Streets X. Limitations For Top Soil TOTAL 00 * Points are awarded only if contestant s choice(s) match the choices of the judge. Sample Score Cards (OMR Forms) can be found at: http://www.agedweb.org/ Tabulations/Forms/ 7_B04.doc