Grinnell FFA’s ‘Team Dirt’ finishes fourth at the 2021 Iowa FFA Soils CDE competition

Grinnell FFA’s “Team Dirt” is, from left: Jack Nickel, Ethan See, Ashton Hale, Jared Nickel, who was the fourth individual overall, and FFA Advisor Ashley Wolfe. The team finished fourth at state and qualified for nationals, which has been cancelled for second straight year due to COVID-19. Submitted photo

by J.O. Parker

   The Grinnell FFA’s “Team Dirt,” as they are called, dug deep in the soil and brought home a fourth-place finish at the annual Iowa FFA Soils Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) held at Iowa State University on April 30.
      Members of the fourth-place team included: Jack Nickel, Ethan See, Ashton Hale and Jared Nickel, who was the fourth individual overall.
     Grinnell was among 30 chapters from across the state comprised of 116 individuals who participated in this year’s CDE, which is designed to provide the students an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of soils evaluation. The Soils Evaluation Career Development Event included the evaluation of four soil pits, plus a written exam about soils in Iowa. The score card used to judge the soil pits is divided into five parts: Surface Features, Soil Features – The Profile, Land Capability Classification and Productivity Potential, Evaluation of Management Practices, and Sustainability of Soils for Non-Agricultural Uses.
        The Grinnell agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor is Ashley Wolfe.
        The top five team from across state qualify for nationals held in Oklahoma City, but due to COVID-19, the event was canceled in 2020 and again in 2021.
        “This just tops the 2020-2021 FFA year off,” said Wolfe. “These four fine young men, also known as, “Team Dirt,” had their last hoorah. It was a beautiful day to be outside with these talented guys. Way to go!”