NRCS joins the University of Rhode Island to host the Northeast Collegiate Soil Judging Competition

In the weeks leading up to the event, Mark Stolt, URI Soil Science and Pedology Professor, coordinated the preparation of practice and competition pits, bringing on a team of soil scientists from USDA-NRCS Rhode Island, Connecticut and Colorado, and staff from the Special Projects Region and NRCS' Tolland, Connecticut, and Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, MLRA Offices. 

Also helping with pit description and contest logistics were partners from the private sector, Kevin Hoyt, Art Allen and Tim Twohig. Kevin gets a special shout-out for his pit excavation artistry and kind donation of time and equipment. Our region is very fortunate to have a thriving consulting soil scientist community with top notch professionals like Kevin, Art and Tim, and frequent interaction between public and private sectors through our local soil scientist society (the Soil Science Society of Southern New England, or SSSSNE) and events like collegiate soil judging contests. 

The weather for the practice pit days and the contest was phenomenal, with brisk mornings in the 30’s and highs up in the 70’s some days. The soil pits were deluxe, showcasing both regionally-representative and challenging soil morphology.

The participating schools were:

• Alfred University (New York)
• Brooklyn College (New York)
• Brown University (Rhode Island)
• Delaware Valley (Pennsylvania)
• Penn State University
• State University of New York at Fredonia
• Stockton University (New Jersey)
• University of Delaware
• University of Maryland
• University Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pennsylvania)
• University of Rhode Island

Results 

• First Place Team - University of Maryland (UMD)

• Second Place Team - University of Rhode Island (URI)
• Third Place Team - University of Delaware (UDEL)
• There was a three-way tie for the First Place Individual, and URI student, Kaitlyn Diener, was one of those three. URI and NRCS-RI Pathways Intern, Megan DeLaurier, placed eighth overall.  
• Delaware Valley, URI, UMD, UDEL, and Penn State University will be advancing to the national competition next spring. 

"This event was Brown University’s first time competing and Brooklyn College’s second, which is awesome to see participation expanding," said NRCS State Soil Scientist for Connecticut and Rhode Island, Jacob Isleib.

NRCS thanks Dr. Stolt for his leadership in putting on this excellent competition and for the opportunity to involve ourselves in it. Soil judging is a fantastic opportunity for both students and professionals to see and learn more about soils. Congratulations to all the participants and the top teams and individuals!