BROOKINGS, S.D. — The 34th annual South Dakota Rangeland Days and 14th annual Soils Days will be held June 20 & 21, 2017 in Wall, South Dakota.
“This hands-on training teaches South Dakotans about our state’s most precious resource – land and soil,” said Dave Ollila, event coordinator and SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist.
Rangeland management learning activities have been designed for a variety of age groups and expertise, from 8-years-old through adult. During Rangeland Days, participants learn everything from plant morphology and identification to judging habitat suitability for cattle or grouse.
“Everyone attending Rangeland Days is sure to gain new knowledge from participating,” Ollila said.
Soil Days learning activities are designed for participants 14-18 years of age.
Student will learn how to evaluate the physical properties of soil which include: soil texture, depth, erosion, slope, and stoniness.
“This information will help participants interpret permeability of water and air through the soil, surface run off and other factors which limit the soil’s production potential,” Ollila said.
Using this new found knowledge, Ollila explained that students will determine the land’s capability class which, in turn, allows them to make recommended conservation treatments using vegetative and mechanical erosion controls. Students will also learn how to assess a building location for potential issues that would occur when developing a home site.
Judging contest included
After a day of active learning, the participants in both Rangeland and Soils Days will have the opportunity to measure how much they have learned by participating in contests.
“These contests are designed specifically for their age level and expertise,” Ollila said.
Competition will be offered for individuals and teams for all age groups. New this year, the contest will include a ranch hand plant ID contest for adults at the same time as the student contest.
Educational credits available
Adults attending the Soil Days portion of the event can receive one undergraduate or graduate credit for participating in the entire program and completing additional requirements found in the syllabus. A copy of the syllabus can be mailed out prior to the event.
Student talks & educational displays
Youth have the opportunity to expand their leadership skills and rangeland management understanding by participating in student talks and development of educational displays.
Student displays: Youth are encouraged to enter a tabletop display on any range-related topic.
Examples include: wildlife, food and habitat displays, a grazing plan for your ranch, etc. Plant collections will be judged as a separate category and will be eligible for a special award. Plant collections will NOT count toward the Top Hand Award.
Student Talks: Talks may be presented on any aspect of range management or about any range resource. Visual aids are required; Power Point preferred. Scout and Go Getter presentations should be more scientific than a revised 4-H demonstration. Time limits are: New Rangers 2-8 minutes, Wranglers 3-8 minutes, Scouts and Go Getters 5-8 minutes
Awards
Plaques will presented to the first place individual in each event in each age division and medallions to the first through third placing contestants in each event in each division.
Soils Top Hand: The overall top scoring youth will receive a silver buckle.
Rangeland Top Hand: The overall top scoring youth in each division will receive a silver belt buckle. Scores in the judging competition (40 percent), Student talks (35 percent) and displays (25 percent) will all count toward the award. Participation in all three events is required to be eligible.
Scout/Go-Getter Student Talk: The Top Scout or Go Getter from South Dakota may be given the opportunity to present his/her talk at the 2018 Society for Range Management annual meeting in Sparks, Nevada.
Range & Soils Team Competition: Teams may consist of three or four members from the county 4-H program or FFA Chapter.
New Ranger and Wrangler teams will receive certificates. The top Go-Getter Range team & the top Soils team in 4-H will represent South Dakota at the National Land & Range Judging Contest held in Oklahoma City, OK in May 2018. (All team members must be current 4-H members and will not graduate before May 2018.)
Registration information
For further details or a copy of the pre-registration brochure visit, http://igrow.org/events/south-dakota-rangeland-soils-days/ or contact Dave Ollila at David.Ollila@sdstate.edu. Ollila can also be reached at the Rapid City Regional Extension Center at (605) 394-1722.
— SDSU Extension
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