On October 8th, North Lake competed in the annual District FFA Soils Career Development Event. This year the contest was held at Crook County. Both the Advanced and the Beginning teams placed first and took home the blue banners. This is the second year in a row that both teams have won the District competition.
In the advanced competition, Avery Overton placed 2nd individual with 105 points, Joe Carlon placed 4th individual with 104 points and Daniel Miles placed 5th with 100 points. Other members of the advanced team were: Andre Borlak, Alex Defender, Jesssica Kelly and Sydnee Bias. Team scores were: North Lake = 399, Sherman County = 393, Culver = 372.
In the beginning compettion, Felicia Bias placed 1st individual with 106 points, Shayne Dinger placed 2nd individual with 105 points, Cody Worthington placed 3rd individual with 104 points and Adam Henkel placed 4th individual with 100 points. Other members of the team were: JJ Smith, Calvin Bowers, Kourtney Worthington, Elijah Puckett. Team scores were: North Lake = 415 points, Madras = 374, Culver 363.
Both of North Lake Soils teams will be participating in the State contest this year which is being held in Culver Oregon on October 14th.
The Soils CDE requires students to determine the slope, soil texture, color and structure, identify mottles, course fragments, horizons and any “special features” like duripans, fragipans and tillage pans. The students then have to use that information to calculate available water holding capacity, effective rooting depth, surface and subsoil permeability, water and wind erosion hazard, parent material, site position, internal drainage, drainage feasibility, most intensive crop for the site, erosion control practices, pH corrections and septic tank limitations.
Farmers are the primary stewards of the soil, for they are the tillers of the land. All of us, however, share the responsibility to protect this valuable resource. If we manage our soil properly it will continue to nourish us for generations to come. If we don’t, our very civilization is threatened.
The main objective of the Soils CDE is to encourage students to investigate this fascinating resource we call soil, to discover how soils are organized, to learn both how to describe key properties of soils horizons and to interpret them in terms of management practices–and to develop a sense of stewardship for the land. By learning and understanding important properties of the soil, students will be able to manage the soil wisely and make a number of important decisions about drainage, irrigation, crop selection and erosion control.
Next year’s District contest is scheduled to be held in the North Lake area.
The North Lake FFA would like to thank the Fort Rock Soil and Water Conservation District, and especially LeeRoy Horton, Harold Miles, Lloyd Miles and Leon Baker for all soils pits they’ve dug and the help, encouragement, and educational programs they have provided the students. They’re a great asset to our chapter, school and community.
Beginning Team, Front Row: Adam Henkel, JJ Smith, Felicia Bias, Shayne Dinger, Kourtney Worthington, Calvin Bowers, Kody Worthington. Advanced Team, Back Row: Daniel Miles, Andre Borlak, Alex Defender, Elijah Puckett, Joe Carlon, Avery Overton, Jessica Kelly, Sydnee Bias.
JJ Smith fills out his soil card. 
Sydnee and Felicia Bias
