State hosts 57th National Land and Range Contest

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Rangeland Ecology and Management Specialist Terry Bidwell, has been involved in the contest since 1986.  Bidwell, a professor in the department of natural resource ecology and management at Oklahoma State University, stays actively involved in the contest and keeping the materials used updated.

“This year’s range contest was by far the most difficult for plant identification,” Bidwell said. Bidwell is always impressed by the knowledge of the participants in the contest.

In spite of bad weather, state champion land and range judging students from all over the country came out in full force for the 2008 National Land and Range Contest. Held in Oklahoma City on May 7, the event drew FFA and 4-H participants from 35 states. (Photo by Janet F. Reeder)

“These are some of the best kids in the country––best of the best––who have won respective state range contests,” he said.

 Bidwell said students examine the land and evaluate the soil and plant communities for cattle and wildlife management.  The event teaches and reinforces best practice methods and approaches to land management.

Pits and trenches are dug for judging at locations not disclosed until the contest begins.  Students use their skill to judge the adaptability of land for farming, range management and homesite construction.  Skills students are tested on are valuable in career fields that include environmental and agricultural management, natural resource conservation, home building and construction.

The 2008 contest was hosted by the Concho Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency near El Reno, Okla., and saw a caravan of more than 100 police escorted buses and vehicles arrive at the site for the rainy morning of judging on May 7.

Winners were recognized at a banquet in the Great Hall of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City that evening, where they also heard a keynote address by Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Jari Askins.

National championship trophies were awarded to FFA and 4-H team and individual winners in land judging, range judging and homesite evaluation.

In FFA Land Judging, the Pleasant Hope, Mo., chapter won the team category. The first place individual winner was Emily Cashman, Montezuma, Ind.

In 4-H Land Judging, Medina County, Texas, Hondo chapter, won. Dustin Lilie of that team, was the individual winner.

In FFA Range Judging, the Gans, Okla., chapter won the team competition. Daniel Merrill, also of Gans, took the first place individual FFA award.

The Butte, Newell, S.D., chapter won the 4-H team category, and Sammi Shaykett of Butte, also placed first in the individual category.

In FFA Homesite Evaluation, the Oklahoma Union, South Coffeyville, Okla., chapter won. Justin Van Brundt, New Orleans, Ind., took the first place individual FFA award.

The Hamilton Southeastern, Denver, Ind., chapter won the 4-H team category, and Chelbey Welchel, Fisher, Ind., placed first in the individual category.

The first land-judging contest, created by three Oklahoma conservationists, was begun in 1942.  Oklahoma City has hosted the national contest, long sponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, for teams who qualify by placing among the top five teams in state events, since 1952.

 This year’s event was honored with a proclamation from Oklahoma’s Gov. Brad Henry declaring May 7, 2008, as National Land and Range Day in Oklahoma.

 Contest co-sponsors also include the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Farm Credit, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Oklahoma Farmers Union, Oklahoma Farm Bureau and numerous other businesses and organizations.

More information about the annual event can be found on the Oklahoma Conservation Commission Web site at http://www.ok.gov/okcc/.

Oklahoma State University’s NREM department has a Web site at http://nrem.okstate.edu/index.html with information about programs offered in wildlife ecology and management as well as a newsletter and access to NREM Cooperative Extension publications.

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Janet F. Reeder  BA, MS
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
Oklahoma State University
142 Agriculture North
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-3651
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: janet.reeder@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating:  The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.