(Photo provided) Students from the Waterford Future Farmers of America Urban Soil Judging team display their awards from numerous soil judging competitions throughout Ohio.

WATERFORD — The Waterford Future Farmers of America (FFA) Urban Soil Judging team is on its way to Oklahoma for the National Soils Contest after excelling in three soil judging contests, establishing themselves as one of Ohio’s top soil judging teams.

Their journey began with the Washington County Soil Judging Contest, organized by the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District and hosted by the Waterford FFA Chapter at Matt and Missy Hansell’s farm. In this county competition, the Agricultural team claimed first place, with members Owen Stauch, Kaylie McCutcheon, Adalyn Eichmiller, John Klintworth, and Leia Barnett. Individually, Stauch placed first and McCutcheon placed second.

The Urban team also took first place in the county, with team members Maddie Hansell, Gracie Hartline, Maggie Baldwin, Katelynn Valandingham, and Payge Lane. Individually, Hansell placed first, Hartline placed second, and Baldwin placed third. Both teams were honored on Oct. 23 at the Washington County Soil and Water Banquet.

Next, at the District 10 Soils Contest in Jackson County, the Rural team took first place out of 19 teams, with team members Owen Stauch, Kaylie McCutcheon, Adalyn Eichmiller, John Klintworth, and Leia Barnett. Among 82 participants, McCutcheon placed first, Stauch third, Eichmiller fourth, Klintworth fifth, and Barnett 13th.

The Urban team also placed first out of 16 teams, with members Maddie Hansell, Gracie Hartline, Maggie Baldwin, Katelynn Valandingham, and Payge Lane. Among 70 participants, Hansell took first, Baldwin second, Valandingham sixth, Hartline 13th, and Lane 23rd.

Both teams advanced to the State Soils Contest on Oct. 12 in Union County. The Rural team placed eighth out of 50 teams, with Owen Stauch, Kaylie McCutcheon, Adalyn Eichmiller, and John Klintworth competing. The Urban team placed third out of 50 teams statewide, with members Maggie Baldwin, Maddie Hansell, Katelynn Valandingham, and Payge Lane. Baldwin led the team, placing fifth among 165 participants. The Urban team will now compete in the National Soils Contest from April 29 to May 1 in Oklahoma City.

This marks the fifth time that the Waterford FFA Chapter has advanced to the National Soils Contest, having previously qualified in 2014, 2019, 2021, and 2022. Both teams are coached by FFA Advisor Matt Hartline.

To support the Waterford FFA Urban Soil Judging team’s trip to Nationals, donations can be sent to the Waterford FFA Chapter. Checks can be made payable to the Waterford FFA Chapter and sent to: Waterford FFA Chapter-Urban Soil Judging Team, PO Box 67, Waterford, OH 45786.