For its excellence in evaluating soil profiles, the Missouri State University Soil Judging Team finished second at the 2025 Region V Soil Judging Contest. 

Hosted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the event took place from Sept. 28-Oct. 3.  

With this achievement, the team advances to the 2026 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest from March 22-27. North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, is the host.   

About the competition 

This year’s competition featured nine teams and 78 students from Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota. The five-day event included three days of practice, one day of competition and an awards ceremony on the final day.

“The practice days involved long hours in the field in soil pits, learning about the local soils and what their limitations are for certain land uses,” said Coach Lindsey Anderson, adjunct instructor in the School of Agricultural Science and Conservation.

During the competition, students judge soil pits by recording each soil horizon’s properties and classifying the soils based on their findings. Teams whose analyses most closely match those of professional soil scientists receive the highest rankings in the competition. 

A strong comeback 

Missouri State’s team made an impressive comeback, competing for the first time since 2019.

“We’re very proud of the students and the recognition they brought to Missouri State,” said Coach Michael Bowers, adjunct instructor in the School of Agricultural Science and Conservation. We put a lot of work into preparing for the competition and fundraising, and the team wouldn’t exist without the students.” 

In preparation for the competition, the team met weekly to study soil properties, classification, water retention abilities and suitable uses.  

Turning expertise into mentorship 

Both coaches balance their teaching roles with full-time careers — Anderson as a soil scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Bowers as the water quality field operations manager for the Greene County Resource Management Department. Despite their busy schedules, they remain dedicated to coaching and inspiring students to explore soil science and related careers.  

“We both enjoy teaching and have a passion for soils, and we remain eager to share that passion with others,” Anderson said. 

Building skills beyond the classroom   

Soil judging gives students hands-on practice to develop skills for analyzing diverse soils, landscapes and resources across the United States.  

“Agriculture and natural resources cannot be fully taught in a classroom. Students need to get out in the field and get their hands dirty,” Anderson said. “This practical understanding of resources is critical for better management of natural resources and also makes students more competitive in job searches.”   

For Missouri State seniors Raina Clements and Anna Maria Snodderly, participating in the competition was an incredible experience. 

“Joining the soil judging team has taught me more about soil than any traditional lecture could. I’ve gotten better at working in a team and the group judging experience is a great insight into how my future career as a soil scientist may be,” said Clements, a double major in wildlife conservation and management and geography and sustainability. 

For Snodderly, a double major in environmental plant science and geography and sustainability, her favorite part of the contest was team bonding.  

“I’m much more passionate about soil after participating in this contest. Soil may seem like a boring subject, but our group had fun learning new things together,” she said.   

Getting ready for nationals

To prepare for the upcoming national competition, team members are raising funds. They will resume their practice in November to study types of soil in North Carolina and strengthen their skills. 

Explore the School of Agricultural Science and Conservation