Landon Wolter, who works in the Redfield, S.D., NRCS office, holds a stem of smooth bromegrass for a group of scouts learning to identify plants for a range judging contest in June. After a day of practice, kids competed in range, land and homesite judging on a Deuel County pasture.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Harley Heber, 9, of Wessington Springs explains his idea for a panel-moving robot that would work with rotational grazing operations. Haber had participated in Rangeland Days in the past, but this year was the first time he gave a presentation. His talk and display won first place in the New Rangers division for ages 8-10.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Krista Ehlert addresses Rangeland Days participants at the Codington County Extension Center before heading to the field June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Landon Wolter, who works in the Redfield, S.D., NRCS office, holds a prairie plant for a group of scouts learning to identify plants for a range judging contest in June. After a day of practice, kids competed in range, land and homesite judging on a Deuel County pasture.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
A group of scouts learn characteristics of prairie plants during practice day before the range judging contest in Deuel County in June.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
A group of scouts learn characteristics of prairie plants during practice day before the range judging contest in Deuel County in June.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Landon Wolter competed in rangeland judging before making a career out of the skills he gained.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
NRCS soil conservationist Casey Wenzlaff helps kids with plant identification during Rangeland Days in Deuel County June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
The rolling hills of northern Deuel County was the site for Rangeland Days June 12-13, hosted by SDSU Extension, NRCS and the Coddington County Conservation District.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Teens spent a day on the rolling hills of northern Deuel County practicing plant identification as part of Rangeland Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
NRCS soil conservationist Casey Wenzlaff examines a prairie plant at Rangeland Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
NRCS soil conservationist Casey Wenzlaff, right, shows Deubrook student Lidia Dupraz a blade of grass while practicing plant identification at Rangeland Days in Deuel County June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Landon Wolter holds a golden Alexander during Rangeland Days June 12 in Deuel County.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Randi Tivis, right, works with kids at Rangeland Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Landon Wolter holds a prairie plant at Rangeland Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Deubrook student Lidia Dupraz listens to instructions about plant identifications at Rangeland Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
NRCS soil conservationist Casey Wenzlaff describes plant characteristics to Faith Frink of Wall at Rangeland Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Autumn Kunkel, 8, of Watertown looks on as SDSU Extension Range Specialist Krista Ehlert digs up a plant. Working with younger kids is a “kick in the pants,” Ehlert said. “They’re super fun and they’re excited and curious and ask good questions.”
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Students from Lemmon, S.D., explore soil characteristics at Rangeland and Soil Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
NRCS soil scientist Lance Howe explains the characteristics of top soil to students from Lemmon at Rangeland and Soil Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
NRCS soil scientist Lance Howe explains the characteristics of top soil to students from Lemmon at Rangeland and Soil Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Lemmon FFA advisor Renae Gebhart works with students Brooks Foss and Briley Gebhart at a soil pit during Rangeland Days June 12.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
Lemmon FFA advisor Renae Gebhart works with students Brooks Foss, Briley Gebhart and Darla Barnes at a soil pit during Rangeland Days June 12.
Haakon-Bennett County 4-H Range team placed first out of 12 teams at the 2024 National Land and Range Judging Contest in El Reno, Oklahoma. Team members, from left: Emily Zickrick, Colden Kramer, Ashley Schriever, Tara Schofield, Tyler Swan (NRCS soil conservationist) and coach Reed Johnson. Zickrick placed first individually, Kramer placed fifth and Schriever placed 10th out of 43 national competitors.
Submitted photo
Adrik Schoon, of White River, won the Rangeland Go-Getter Top Hand award at the 2024 Rangeland and Soils Days in Watertown.
Submitted photo
First place 4-H Soils Judging team at the 2024 Rangeland and Soils Days was Kingsbury County 4-H: Gavin Temme, Chase Temme and Breyton Johnson, all of De Smet. Coached by Dave VanderWal.
Submitted photo
4-H and FFA youth look at a rainfall simulator during the 2024 Rangeland and Soils Days on June 12-13 in Watertown. South Dakota State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Codington County Conservation District co-hosted the event, which included a close-up look at the NRCS rainfall simulator.
Karlie Kammerer likes how little things can come together into a bigger picture. Things like the slender blades of western wheatgrass or tiny flowers clustered on the golden Alexander that signal a healthy ecosystem.
Randi Tivis, left, Casey Wenzlaff and Karlie Kammerer discuss plant identification during Rangeland Days in Deuel County June 12. Kammerer was selected as South Dakota’s delegate to the High School Youth Forum put on by the Society for Range Management.
Autumn Kunkel, 8, of Watertown looks on as SDSU Extension Range Specialist Krista Ehlert digs up a plant. Working with younger kids is a “kick in the pants,” Ehlert said. “They’re super fun and they’re excited and curious and ask good questions.”
Jerauld County Team 1 won the 4-H Go-Getter Rangeland Judging team contest at the 2024 Rangeland and Soils Days: Ridge Roduner, Hayes Christensen, Robert Hine and Landen Christensen, all of Wessington Springs. Coached by Wade Christensen and Brady Duxbury.
Janelle Atyeo is a small town South Dakota girl enjoying her work as regional editor of the Midwest Messenger and Tri-State Neighbor while raising kids and no-till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.
Landon Wolter, who works in the Redfield, S.D., NRCS office, holds a stem of smooth bromegrass for a group of scouts learning to identify plants for a range judging contest in June. After a day of practice, kids competed in range, land and homesite judging on a Deuel County pasture.
Harley Heber, 9, of Wessington Springs explains his idea for a panel-moving robot that would work with rotational grazing operations. Haber had participated in Rangeland Days in the past, but this year was the first time he gave a presentation. His talk and display won first place in the New Rangers division for ages 8-10.
Landon Wolter, who works in the Redfield, S.D., NRCS office, holds a prairie plant for a group of scouts learning to identify plants for a range judging contest in June. After a day of practice, kids competed in range, land and homesite judging on a Deuel County pasture.
The rolling hills of northern Deuel County was the site for Rangeland Days June 12-13, hosted by SDSU Extension, NRCS and the Coddington County Conservation District.
NRCS soil conservationist Casey Wenzlaff, right, shows Deubrook student Lidia Dupraz a blade of grass while practicing plant identification at Rangeland Days in Deuel County June 12.
Autumn Kunkel, 8, of Watertown looks on as SDSU Extension Range Specialist Krista Ehlert digs up a plant. Working with younger kids is a “kick in the pants,” Ehlert said. “They’re super fun and they’re excited and curious and ask good questions.”
Autumn Kunkel, 8, of Watertown looks on as SDSU Extension Range Specialist Krista Ehlert digs up a plant. Working with younger kids is a “kick in the pants,” Ehlert said. “They’re super fun and they’re excited and curious and ask good questions.”
Randi Tivis, left, Casey Wenzlaff and Karlie Kammerer discuss plant identification during Rangeland Days in Deuel County June 12. Kammerer was selected as South Dakota’s delegate to the High School Youth Forum put on by the Society for Range Management.
Haakon-Bennett County 4-H Range team placed first out of 12 teams at the 2024 National Land and Range Judging Contest in El Reno, Oklahoma. Team members, from left: Emily Zickrick, Colden Kramer, Ashley Schriever, Tara Schofield, Tyler Swan (NRCS soil conservationist) and coach Reed Johnson. Zickrick placed first individually, Kramer placed fifth and Schriever placed 10th out of 43 national competitors.
Jerauld County Team 1 won the 4-H Go-Getter Rangeland Judging team contest at the 2024 Rangeland and Soils Days: Ridge Roduner, Hayes Christensen, Robert Hine and Landen Christensen, all of Wessington Springs. Coached by Wade Christensen and Brady Duxbury.
First place 4-H Soils Judging team at the 2024 Rangeland and Soils Days was Kingsbury County 4-H: Gavin Temme, Chase Temme and Breyton Johnson, all of De Smet. Coached by Dave VanderWal.
4-H and FFA youth look at a rainfall simulator during the 2024 Rangeland and Soils Days on June 12-13 in Watertown. South Dakota State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Codington County Conservation District co-hosted the event, which included a close-up look at the NRCS rainfall simulator.
