UMD Hosting 2026 Northeast Soil Judging Competition
The University of Maryland's Department of Environmental Science and Technology is proud to host the 2026 Northeast Region Soil Judging Competition!
What is Soil Judging?
Soil judging develops and tests a student’s ability to apply knowledge and skills to real-world natural systems. To “judge” a soil, students spend one hour in a 5-foot-deep pit describing the characteristics of the various layers that have developed in the soil, the ability of the soil to transmit and retain water and support roots, the geological history of the site, the long-term processes of soil development, the classification of the soil, and the potential challenges of using the soil for land uses such as building a home.
If you have question about soil judging, please contact:
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Dr. Martin Rabenhorst
mrabenho@umd.edu
301-405-1343 -
Dr. Brian Needelman
bneed@umd.edu
301-405-8227
