College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

When sophomore Abigail Guza attended her first soil judging competition, she wasn’t sure what to expect — she only knew she wanted to do her best for MSU. What she didn’t anticipate was ranking in the top three out of 83 competitors, a remarkable achievement that would become a highlight of her college career. 

“All I knew was I wanted to represent MSU well,” said Guza. “I was excited because I spent the first half of the semester studying soil and practicing, and the competition offered an opportunity to use what I had learned. Placing that well validated all the time and energy I spent trying to do my best. It was good to see it pay off. I’m really looking forward to competing at nationals.” 

The MSU Soil Judging Team is more than just another academic extracurricular; it offers students the chance to study soil directly in the field. The team fosters a supportive, close-knit community where students can engage in friendly competition and explore soil science.

“A community that accepts everyone”  

While some members come from agricultural or environmental majors, the team is open to students from all disciplines, fostering a diverse and welcoming group.  

“We’re a community that accepts everyone,” said Bernard Frantz, a graduate student lead for the team. “We have engineers, crop and soil scientists, nature lovers and people who just love being outdoors. These different groups and backgrounds form the foundation of our community.” 

To join the team, students must enroll in CSS 210: Fundamentals of Soil Science with Dr. Barret Wessel, an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and the Soil Judging Team coach. The course provides essential knowledge about soil characteristics and classification, building the foundation for students to understand and identify soils. 

In preparation for competition, students often extract and analyze soil, describing their properties, identifying distinctive types and interpreting information related to land use. They practice identifying soil based on characteristics like texture, color and, occasionally, even smell.  

This practical approach, whether in the classroom or out in the field, helps students better understand the earth beneath their feet and its importance to multiple industries, from agriculture to environmental conservation. 

“A one-of-a-kind experience” 

Frantz believes the direct, experiential approach to soil judging sets it apart from other classes and extracurriculars.  

"Soil judging is a one-of-a-kind experience. Many soil or environmental science classes teach theories, but when we take students out to experience the different soils Michigan offers, they get to hold the soil. They physically interact with it. They get to see, up close, what makes it unique,” said Frantz. “Our soil judgers are getting experiences that no other students at MSU are getting.” 

Each fall, the team competes in a regional soil judging competition. During these events, students apply their skills in real-world scenarios, allowing them to showcase what they’ve learned while engaging in friendly competition with other collegiate teams.

In October 2024, the MSU Soil Judging Team competed in the Region 3 Soil Judging Content hosted by Southern Illinois University. After a rigorous and exciting competition, the team placed fourth, qualifying them to compete at the National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest this spring.  

Beyond forming strong relationships with teammates, participants often form valuable connections with academics and professionals at regional and national competitions.  

“This is not just a learning experience; it’s a social community-building experience,” said Wessel. “It helps students step out of their comfort zone and gain new experience. It can also provide a gateway to job opportunities and graduate programs while fostering relationships with other students, faculty and industry professionals. And it’s not uncommon to hear from students that this was the best, or one of the best, experiences of their college career.”

“A way for anyone interested to see what they enjoy” 

Students interested in learning more but who are not ready to commit to a course or competition are invited to join the Soil Judging Club. With no prerequisites, the club offers a low-stress opportunity to explore soil science and join a close-knit community without any expectations. 

“The club is a way for anyone interested in soil judging to come and do some extracurricular hours to see what they enjoy,” said Frantz. “It’s fun, and being involved helps you grow your community. The students I’ve worked with are people I’ll know for the rest of my life.”  

Guza, who hadn’t initially considered a career in soil science, now finds herself deeply invested. Reflecting on her time with the Soil Judging Team and Club, she recommends anyone remotely interested try it.  

“I hadn’t thought about a career in soil before I got involved in soil judging,” said Guza. “But now, I think I would love to pursue a career that heavily involves this. I didn’t know how much I would like it before I tried it. It’s life-changing, honestly. And no matter where I go, this experience will be applicable one way or another. At the end of the day, everything’s rooted in soil.”  

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Donations to the MSU Soil Science Field Experience Teaching Fund support the Soil Judging Team. These funds provide essential training equipment, cover field trip costs and enable students to attend competitions, offering them valuable opportunities to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations.