FFA students from Sigourney and Keota will represent Keokuk County at the upcoming Iowa FFA State Soil Judging Competition after strong performances at the Southeast District contest.
Sigourney FFA captured the Southeast District championship, finishing first among 27 participating teams. The team also dominated the individual standings, claiming the top three spots. Rex Flynn earned first place, followed by Cooper Moore in second and Dayne Chittick in third.
Keota FFA also secured a spot at the state competition after placing third as a team. Two Keota students finished among the district’s top 10, with Brennan McGuire placing seventh and Porter Cave finishing eighth.
Soil judging challenges students to evaluate soil profiles and identify characteristics such as soil structure and composition. Competitors examine exposed soil pits and complete a 40-question scorecard based on their observations. Their answers are later compared with the findings of a soil scientist. Tuesday’s district competition featured four soil pits along with a written examination.
The top five teams from the Southeast District will advance to the state competition, along with Sigourney and Keota.
The Iowa FFA State Soil Judging Competition is scheduled for October 8 at Iowa State University in Ames.
Source: Sigourney FFA / Keota FFA competition information.
