UC Davis Soil Judging Team

We met our initial goal! Please support our new stretch goal of $2,500.

Join us to support the Soil Judging Team Support Fund

The UC Davis Soil Judging Team is digging deep! From the ground up, UC Davis students are learning to see the world differently. Soil is the foundation of life on Earth. It grows the food we eat, filters the water we drink, supports ecosystems and biodiversity, and shapes the landscapes and cities we live in. Despite its importance, soil is often overlooked. Soil judging gives students a rare, hands-on opportunity to understand this vital resource. Through the nationwide soil judging program, participants learn to describe soil properties, identify soil types and landscapes, and interpret data for agriculture, engineering, ecology, climate studies, and beyond.

This past year, the UC Davis team made history: UC Davis placed third at the regional competition for the first time in more than 30 years and advanced to the National Soil Judging Contest in Wisconsin. There, our team proudly earned sixth place, out of 28 teams, in the team soil judging event—a remarkable achievement for students, many of whom had no soil science background before joining.

Now in its fourth year, the UC Davis Soil Judging Team is entirely run by volunteer graduate students who organize weekly lectures, field practices, overnight training trips, and travel to competitions. These experiences allow students to explore new regions of California and beyond, discover soils they have never seen before, and build lasting friendships while learning outdoors together.

Your support will have a real impact. A gift of any size will help UC Davis students gain practical field experience, grow as leaders and teammates, and represent our university at regional and national competitions. Join us in investing in the future of soil and environmental science and experiential education.