Partnership in Action: Tuscaloosa County SWCD and NRCS Host State FFA Land Judging Event

2025 State Land Judging Contestants

Tuscaloosa County Soil and Water Conservation District

NRCS Alabama

Alabama’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have a long tradition of supporting FFA land judging—a hands-on competition that teaches students about soil, conservation, and land use. This year, Tuscaloosa County SWCD led efforts to host the 2025 Alabama State Land Judging Competition at the Tuscaloosa County School System Agriscience Teaching Farm.

“We were thrilled when NRCS approached us about hosting,” said Dupree Galloway, Chairman of the Tuscaloosa County SWCD. “Supporting land judging helps us build stronger connections with local schools and students. It’s a natural extension of our mission to promote conservation education and youth engagement.”

Tuscaloosa County SWCD coordinated the event —securing a site with diverse soils, ensuring the pits were dug, and managing logistics. They worked closely with partners like the Tuscaloosa County School System, Tuscaloosa County Commission, and Alabama 811 to ensure safe excavation. Donations from Local Bank, the Tuscaloosa County Natural Resource Planning Committee, and the Tuscaloosa County Farmers Federation supported food and materials, creating a well-organized and memorable experience for students and teachers.

Local student engagement was also a priority for the event. “We were excited to have Brookwood High School FFA students participate as volunteers and spectators,” said Galloway. “They’re interested in forming a land judging team, and this gave them a great introduction to the contest.”

NRCS Alabama soil scientists were instrumental in selecting four distinct sites (cropland, pastureland, forestland and homestead) and ensuring alignment with national judging standards. “Our role is to create a fair, educational experience where students can apply their knowledge of soil management,” said Christopher Davis, NRCS State Soil Scientist. “We judge the pits through the same lens as the FFA Land Judging Manual, so everything aligns with classroom instructions.”

Davis also sees land judging as a launchpad for career awareness. “A lot of students don’t realize careers in Soil Science, Forestry, Agronomy, or Natural Resource Management are even an option,” he said. “We want to be a visible resource to students and teachers when it comes to careers in agriculture.  This is a fun, hands-on way to introduce those pathways.”

The day ended on a high note for Millry High School’s FFA land judging team (Washington County) who was crowned state champions. Led by longtime advisor Sam Phillips, the team will represent Alabama at the 74th Annual National Land and Range Judging Contest in Reno, Oklahoma, April 29–May 1, 2025.

“This has been 20 years in the making,” said Phillips, who competed on Millry’s team as a student and returned to teach ag at his alma mater. “This team worked hard, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

For Millry High School Sophomore Dawson Hopkins, land judging fits right into his career goals. “I want to be an Agricultural Engineer, and I've always thought land judging was my place to be,” he said. “I love the hands-on parts—feeling the soil, determining the properties, or shooting slope.”

To learn more about land judging opportunities in your area, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District by visiting www.AlabamaSoilandWater.gov/districts.