Soils and Land Use
Soil is a mixture of mineral and organic material at the surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for growing plants.
The five factors that control the formation of soils are:
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Climate
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Organisms
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Topography
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Parent Material
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Time
The Soils and Land Use section of the contest will be broken up into several categories, including soil properties, soil biology, landforms and parent material, soil maps, and interpretations. A soil profile will be excavated and available for students to describe horizons, texture, structure, permeability, depth to water table, color, and other features.
Current Year Resources
2026 Soil and Land Use Learning Objectives and Resources
Past Resources
Soils and Land Use Resource Team
Paul Gadecki, Soils Leader, NRCS Soil Scientist
Josh Gaimaro, Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS
Peter Whitcomb, USDA-NRCS, retired
Maddy Czymmek, Forest Service
