Twenty-one Liberty County 4-H members spent a recent Saturday morning doing what they do best — evaluating soil.  

Liberty County’s junior team took first place and the senior team was third at the state 4-H land-judging contest Aug. 8, at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton.

Team members evaluated four different soil stations, two representing North Georgia and two representing South Georgia. They determined the topsoil texture, topsoil thickness, effective depth, permeability, land slope and erosion rates. Based on that information, the 4-Hers made vegetative, mechanical and fertilizer recommendations.    

“Soil is important for life — plants, animals, etc., we all depend on soil,” said Kasey Bozeman, Liberty County 4-H agent and team coach. “Through this 4-H contest, youth have the opportunity to learn to evaluate soils and make recommendations for the future. We get dirty, have fun and learn how important land and soil is to our existence.”  

Liberty County 4-H’s Junior team members (fourth through eighth grade) were Gwendolyn Bugg, Nadia Crowley, Zoey Dates, Emma Davis, Ashley Dayutis, Mary Gamble, Richard Hayes, Jordan Jenkins, Jared Johnson, Brady Kuhl, Hannah Maldonado-Matos, Maximillian Morrison, Molly Morrison, Seraphina Morrison and Tristan Thompson. Maximillian Morrison was the second-highest junior scorer in the competition, while Seraphina Morrison was the third-highest scorer.

Senior team members (ninth through 12th grade) were Jonathan Adams, Bethney De la Torre, Jordyn James, Sophia Rodriguez and De-Quan Rogers. Adams was the second-highest senior scorer, and James was the third-highest scorer.   

Program assistant Gypsy James, volunteer Shaun James, and bus driver Robert Boatright chaperoned the event in addition to Bozeman.  

For more information, call Bozeman at 876-2133 or email to uge3179@uga.edu.