FFA’ers compete in nursery, soil contests

Marion High School placed second in nursery and landscaping and fifth in land judging at FFA district career development competitions Thursday at Centre High School.

Centre placed third overall.

Ten other schools from the south central district also competed.

Participants in the nursery and landscaping contest were required to identify 50 plant samples and complete a written test and two practicum activities.

Marion’s Mickelly Soyez placed first individually, and Belladonna Toy placed fifth. Breanna Mallory, Emma Box, and Lacey West also competed for Marion.

Centre’s Julia Brunner placed fourth individually, and Kyle Peterson placed seventh. Bradley Alexander and Karsen Kroupa also participated.

In the land competition, contestants were required to evaluate six soil sites for depth, texture, permeability, erosion, slope, surface runoff, and potential for flooding. Students also had to classify each site by capability and recommend vegetative and mechanical treatments. Two other sites were evaluated as home sites.

Soyez placed fourth, and Emma Box placed 10th for Marion. Toy, Breanna Mallory, and Lacey West also competed.

Centre’s Brunner placed fourth individually and was third-place individual overall.