Rangeland & Soil Days in Watertown, SD

June 12 & 13, 2024
Codington Extension Building, 1910 West Kemp Avenue, Watertown, SD
Hosted by Codington Conservation District, NRCS, SDSU Extension

Register: https://bit.ly/Range_Soil_Days
Pre-register by June 2, 2024

View the brochure for additional details and a physical registration form: 2024 Rangeland Day and Soil Health Trifold

*Anyone needing special accommodations for meals, transportation, etc. should contact:
Deanna Kunkel
(605) 882-4989 ext. 3

What you need to know:

• Registration starts 8:30 AM June 12th at the Codington Extension Building. Student display set-up will take place at the same time.
• Meals Provided:
  • June 12th: Lunch, Supper
  • June 13th: Lunch
• June 12th is the practice day in the field. Students will be in the field from morning until supper time. Except the New Rangers, they will come in at 3 PM to do plant presses.
• Student talks will start at 7:00 PM June 12th, location TBD. Everyone is welcome to come and listen.
• June 13th is the contest day. The students will be in the field from morning until lunch. After lunch, there will be an awards presentation starting around 1:30 PM.
• This is a tentative schedule. Updated schedule will be available at registration.

What to bring

• Clothing/footwear that is appropriate for extended time in an outdoor setting. Weather conditions may vary.
• Pen or Pencil
• Returning New Rangers: Please bring a plant press if you have one.
• We will have bug spray, sunscreen, and water available out in the field.

What is Soil Days?
Soil Days is an opportunity to learn more about South Dakota resources, our soils. Learning activities have been designed for 14-18 years of age groups and expertise.

Students will learn how to determine soil texture, depth, erosion, slope, and stoniness. They also learn how to interpret permeability, surface run-off, and limiting factors. From this, they will determine the land capability class. This will allow them to make recommended treatments for vegetation and mechanical erosion control. Fertilization recommendations will also be determined. Students will learn also about Homesite Evaluation.

What is Rangeland Days?
Rangeland Days is an opportunity to learn more about South Dakota resources, our Rangelands. Learning activities have been designed for a variety of age groups and expertise, from 8 years old through adult.

Starting with plant morphology and identification on up to judging habitat suitability for cattle or grouse, every-one attending Rangeland Days is sure to gain from participating.
New Rangers will learn plant identification along with other rangeland facts out in the field. They will also learn how to create plant presses with range plants that they collect. Plant presses will be given out that day.

Scout division is intended for in-coming high school freshmen or high school students who have never participated in range camp or a previous range judging event. In-coming freshmen, based on confidence in their abilities and experience may choose to participate in the Scout or Go-Getter division. This designation must be made at the time of registration.
After a day of active learning, the participants will have the opportunity to measure how much they have learned by participating in a contest within their age division. Competition is individual for all age groups with a team option for the Go-Getters.

Competition & Awards
Awards Presentation at the Codington Extension Building following activities on June 13th at 1:30 PM

Soils Top Hand: The overall top scoring youth will receive a silver buckle.

Rangeland Top Hand: The overall top scoring youth in each division will receive a silver belt buckle. Scores in the judging competition (40%), Student talks (35%), and displays (25%) will all count toward the award. Participation in all three events is required to be eligible.

Student displays: Youth are encouraged to enter a tabletop display on any range-related topic. Examples include: wildlife, food and habitat displays, a grazing plan for your ranch, etc. Plant collections will be judged as a separate category and will be eligible for a special award. Plant collections will NOT count toward the Top Hand Award.

Student Talks: Talks may be presented on any aspect of range management or about any range resource. Visual aids are required; Power Point preferred. Scout and Go-Getter presentations should be more scientific than a revised 4-H demonstration. Time limits are: New Rangers 2-8 minutes, Wranglers 3-8 minutes, Scouts and Go-Getters 5-8 minutes. The top Scout or Go-Getter from South Dakota may be given the opportunity to present his/her talk at the 2025 International Society for Range Management meeting in Spokane, WA.

Range & Soils: Teams may consist of 3 or 4 members from the county 4-H program or FFA Chapter. The top Go-Getter Range team & the top Soils team in 4-H will represent South Dakota at the National Land & Range Judging Contest held in May 2025. Travel scholarships are provided. (All team members must be current 4-H members and will not graduate before May 2024)