4-H'ers compete at national contest

Five local 4-H'ers were among more than 700 4-H and FFA students from 35 states who gathered in Oklahoma for the 70th National Land and Range Judging Contest on May 4.

Molly Hansen, Kyle and Kelsey Johnson, Abby Lee and Ashley Lindberg were the Foster County 4-H'ers who participated in the land judging portion of the contest.

Land judging tests students' knowledge of soils, their properties, and productive potential.

The Foster County team earned the right to represent North Dakota in the national competition by winning the state 4-H land judging contest last August.

The 4-H'ers had two days prior to the contest to visit practice pits and become familiar with the soils and landscape of Oklahoma.

Thunderstorms brought a challenge on the day of the contest. Part way through the contest, participants were sent back to their vehicles until the threat of lightning passed.

The Foster County team persisted through the difficulty, finishing sixth among 15 4-H teams in the national contest. Individually, Kyle Johnson was eighth out of 56 contestants.

The 4-H'ers thank the following sponsors who made the trip possible: AgCountry Farm Credit Services; Carrington Rose Garden and Five Spot Bar in conjunction with the American Foundation for Wildlife; Carrington Wrestling Club; Foster County Ag Improvement Association; Foster County Soil Conservation District; Kensal Farmers Elevator; and Woodworth American Legion.