UNH Soil Judging Team Places 4th In Regional Competition, Invited To Nationals

Contact: Sharon Keeler
603-862-1566
UNH Media Relations

Nov. 17, 2004


 
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire Soil Judging Team placed fourth in the recent Northeast Regional Intercollegiate Soil Judging Competition in Wilmington, Ohio.
     
The four-member team of Amy Ladner of Brookline, Dan Miller of Milford, Jay Malouin of Durham, and Matt Trippel of Durham competed against 43 students comprising 10 teams from eight universities.
      
The first place team was Ohio State University, followed by the University of Maryland and the University of Rhode Island. All four universities will represent the Northeast Region at the National Intercollegiate Soil Judging Competition next spring in Auburn, Ala.
     
During the competition, contestants analyze and describe the physical and chemical properties within a five-foot deep soil profile. They also determine the suitability of the soil for different kinds of land use including dwellings with basements, placement of septic systems, and constructing local streets and roads. 
     
“The Intercollegiate Soil Judging Competition is a great experience for students majoring in soil science to learn the importance of describing soils and making land use interpretations typically provided by professional soil scientists and soil consulting firms,” says Serita Frey, assistant professor of natural resources.