Eighteen members of the Diller-Odell FFA Chapter participated in the area range judging contest held in Lancaster County at Pioneer Park in Lincoln. The event was sponsored by the Lower Platte South Natural Resource District and the Lancaster County Extension Service.

 

The participants were required to identify twenty-four different range plants by their common name and to list the life form, life span, origin, season of growth, forage value, and root growth form of each. They also evaluated the range condition of three sites, calculated livestock stocking rates, and determined pasture improvement practices.

 

The team of Heidi Krueger, Heidi Nelson, Janelle Rickstrew, and Garry Fuller placed third in the senior division out of fourteen teams. The team of Karter Sasse, Tyler Dieter, Michael Steelman, and James Kalivoda placed sixth.

 

In the junior division, the team of Andy Adam, Ethan Weers, Stacy Grabowski, and Kolin Scheele placed second and the team of Derrick Grabowski, Riley Sasse, Cassey Lottman, and Brandon Kostal placed sixth out of fifteen teams.

 

Individual recognition and ribbons were awarded to Janelle Rickstrew for placing fifth, Micheal Steelman for placing sixth, Heidi Nelson for placing 12th, Heidi Kruger for placing 15, and Garry Fuller for placing 22nd out of the 56 contestants in the senior division.

 

Individual recognition in the junior division went to Andy Adam for placing second, Ethan Weers for placing fourth, Kolin Scheele for placing 10th, Stacy Grabowski for placing 15th, Brandon Kostal for placing 17th, Cassey Lottman for placing 22nd, and Colton Ruppecht for placing 24 out of the 58 contestants.

Eight members also participated in the southeast area land-judging contest held on October 7th, at Syracuse. The event was sponsored by the Nemaha Natural Resources District to provide experience in evaluating and learning how to treat and manage soil resources.

 

The contest had different areas of land to evaluate according to soil depth, texture, permeability, slope, organic material, and the amount of erosion. Land usage and treatment recommendation were made for each area. Ribbons were awarded to the top 45% of the contestants. There were 157 students from eight schools making up forty-one teams participating in the event.

 

Andy Adam placed third individually and earned a purple ribbon. Ethan Weers, Michael Steelman, and Heidi Krueger all received a red ribbon. Karter Sasse received a white ribbon. Other members participating were: Garry Fuller; James Kalivoda; and Derrick Grabowski.

 

The team of Andy Adam, Ethan Weers, Michael Steelman, and Karter Sasse earned a third place plaque and qualified for the state contest to be held the first week of November.