Wawasee FFA Chapter Soils Teams Roll On To State Contest

SYRACUSE - Eighteen members of the Wawasee FFA Chapter participated in the Soils Career Development Event where they are trained to determine the slope of the land texture of the surface and subsoil, and other features such as previous erosion, natural soil drainage, patent material and limiting layers. Students then make recommendations based on those physical characteristics, according to a news release from Wawasee Community Schools.
If the location is a potential homesite, students will make recommendations for a basement, type of septic/soil absorption field and more. If the location is to be used for agricultural practices, students determine the potential for erosion and make recommendations for cover crops, no-till farming practices, drainage tile and more.

    At the Eastbrook Invitational on Sept. 23, Wyatt Schafer placed 10th out of 100 in the Senior Division. In the Rookie Division, John Reiff placed fourth and Haley Maynus placed ninth out of 64 individuals. Photo Provided.
  

To prepare and learn the skills necessary, these students have attended over 12 hours of practice in classroom and have participated in invitational contests to demonstrate their knowledge. Their season culminates with the area contest where teams from eight counties in northern Indiana compete for a qualifying spot (top six) to the state contest.
This year, 27 senior teams (high school) and eight junior teams (third through eighth grade) area contest was held on Sept. 29 in Kosciusko County.
Wawasee’s teams placed first, fourth and 16th in the senior FFA Division and first in the junior division. Placing individually out of 97 individuals in the FFA Division were: first, Wyatt Schafer; third, Jace Beer; and seventh, John Reiff. In the Junior Division, Jenna Beer placed first and Trevor Roberts placed fifth.
The junior team of Jenna Beer, Anna Bowling, Trevor Roberts and Maisie Schafer will compete against 20 other teams for the state championship this weekend. Senior teams will compete for a chance to qualify for the national contest.
Wawasee FFA members that qualified for state are Jace Beer, Gabe Ihnen, Haley Maynus, Audrey Miller, Preston Miller, John Reiff, Wyatt Schafer, Cavan Tom and John Wilkinson.

    Jenna Beer and Haley Maynus placed fourth and fifth, respectively, out of 51 individuals in the Rookie Division at the North Miami Invitational on Sept. 30. Photo Provided.