Office of the Dean
Office of the Dean

University of Kentucky Collegiate Soil Judging Team: Investigating Soils of the Southeastern US

University of Kentucky Collegiate Soil Judging Team: Investigating Soils of the Southeastern US

Year: 2023
Project Leader: Christopher Shepard
Department/Program: Plant and Soil Sciences
Funding: $1000

Every fall, approximately 100 undergraduate students from across the Southeastern United States (SE) participate in the SE Regional Soil Judging Contest. Twelve to fourteen other universities participate in this activity in any given year, and represent 8 other SE states. This is an excellent opportunity to teach undergraduate students how to describe and evaluate soils, which are necessary skills for careers in natural resource management, agriculture, and research. Participation also allows our students to broaden their understanding of soils by engaging with soils and ecosystems that are not easily found close to UK main campus, such forested, coastal, and wetland ecosystems. 

To maintain the success of the UK Soil Judging Team, and further soil science education at UK, the Barnhart Fund for Excellence will be used to support for travel to the SE Regional Soil Judging Contest. 

Contact Information

Dr. Nancy Cox, Ph.D.
Dean

S123 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4772