Penn State Soil Judging Team finishes 10th in national competition

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Soil Judging Team finished second in the Group Judging category and tied for 10th place overall in the 2026 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest at North Carolina State University on March 22-27.

More than 120 students from 28 universities across the United States gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the premier hands-on competition designed to prepare the next generation of agronomists, soil scientists, environmental consultants, and turfgrass and land management professionals. The annual contest brings together undergraduate teams to evaluate soils in the field, applying scientific principles to real-world challenges in agriculture, environmental management and land-use planning.

“Soil judging provides students with critical, hands-on experience that connects classroom learning to practical decision-making,” said Penn State team coach Patrick Drohan, professor of pedology in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “The contest emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving and technical communication — skills essential for careers in soil science and related fields.”

Participants analyze soil properties such as texture, structure, color and drainage, and interpret how these characteristics influence land capability and sustainability. The week-long event featured field-based judging exercises, educational activities and networking opportunities with professionals from academia, government agencies and industry.

“I am so proud of what this team was able to accomplish,” said Penn State team member Joey Picciotti, an environmental resource management major from Fairless Hills. “I think finishing in second place for group judging really demonstrates the trust we have in one another and how well we are able to work together as a team.”

Team member Megan Heineman, an environmental resource management major from Philadelphia, said the contest expanded her knowledge of soils and showed her how different they can be from those she has studied in Pennsylvania.

“I’m so glad I had this opportunity to expand my understanding,” she said.

Plant sciences major Brenna Fitzpatrick, another team member from Buffalo, noted that the experiential learning opportunity expanded her knowledge of soil classification and interpretation.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with soil scientists and learn from them in the field,” she said.

Team member Jed Dreher, of Pittsburgh, also found the national competition to be gratifying.

“The National Soil Judging Contest was a really unique exercise that helped tremendously in broadening my knowledge in soil science,” he said. “Learning about soils from a region that I haven’t visited was endlessly fascinating.”

Other members of the Penn State Soil Judging team competing in the national event included Rayner Raynor, environmental resource management major from Dresher; Cara Hannum, environmental resource management major from Mortonville; John Bicksler, agriculture provisional major from Lewisburg, West Virginia; Allison Weaver, plant sciences major from Pittsburgh; and Karis Blagden, environmental resource management major from Berwyn.

The National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest is supported by the Soil Science Society of America and partner organizations committed to advancing soil science education. The event also highlights the importance of soils in addressing global challenges such as food security, water quality and climate resilience.