WT Soil Judging Team
About The Team
The West Texas A&M University Soil Judging Team is open to undergraduates from any major. Students may compete all four years of their undergraduate program and compete in 2-3 contests across the Fall and Spring semesters each year. In the Fall, the team competes in the Region IV Soil Judging competition (host rotates between Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Texas Schools within the region). In the spring, the team competes in the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) competition and in our main national competition pending regional contest qualification. At these contests, students are asked to identify and describe various elements of soil morphology, characteristics, taxonomy, and land use interpretations, allowing students to gain hands-on field experience examining soils, and engage decision-making and critical thinking skills both in an individual capacity and as a team.
Meet the Coaches
Coach Dr. Tanner Judd grew up in Northeast Ohio and graduated with his BS in Agroecology from West Virginia University. He went on to pursue a MS degree in Plant and Soil Sciences at Oklahoma State University, and then received his PhD in Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin- Madison prior to his role at WT. He has served as faculty coach for WT soil judging since 2025. Dr. Judd's favorite part about coaching the team is taking the opportunity to show students the diversity of soils and land use across the United States as the team travels for each competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I learn more and join the team?
Reach out to Dr. Tanner Judd directly (Tjudd@wtamu.edu) to get information on practice times/location and learn more about the team. You do not need any prior experience to join and you do not need to be a PSES major (Our most recent team included majors from animal science, agricultural education, agricultural communications, wildlife biology, and health sciences)!
What is the time commitment?
As a team, we practice twice per week (usually Wednesday and Thursday evenings), one day for general knowledge and field practice, and the other day for soil texturing practice- a key component to competitions. Each contest (1-2 per semester) requires approximately a week of time including practice days, competition, and travel.
What are competition trips like?
Our trips are a little unconventional compared to other competitive teams, due to the fact that the soils we judge differ so drastically across the United States! To account for this, we typically have 2-4 practice days as a team at the host location prior to competition day. During these days, we spend a significant amount of time learning about the area's soils and preparing for what we may expect in the competition. Following practice days, the actual competition usually takes place all on one day and is divided between individual pit judging and a team-judged pit at the end.
Who gets to attend the competition?
Our team averages 12-15 students in a given semester. Decisions on who receives an invitation to attend a competition are primarily based on practice attendance, participation, scores, and seniority. The more time you remain involved with the team and dedicate to studying, the more likely it is that you will qualify for a contest!
Why should I join WT Soil Judging?
Soil judging offers a unique experience compared to many other competitive judging teams in that each contest offers a brand-new learning opportunity for students. Contest rules and guidelines remain similar at each contest, but soils change drastically within just a few hundred miles, with implications for how we use our land for agricultural and engineering purposes. Aside from the contest, there is significant benefit to learning from other teammates with different educational background and interests, and students are challenged to develop valuable skillsets that apply well beyond soil science.
Follow the Team
Instagram: @wtsoiljudging
