Posted: November 13, 2025
Students from Penn State's Soil Judging Team turned the steep slopes of Pennsylvania's Allegheny Front into an outdoor classroom this October.
L-R: Dr. Drohan kneeling, Megan Heineman, Allison Weaver, Brenna Fitzpatrick, Joe Lofland, Joey Picciotti, Rayner Raynor, John Bicksler, Cara Hannum, Sloan Householder, Jed Dreher.
The team earned top finishes at the 2025 Northeast Regional Soil Judging Contest and qualified for the 2026 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest.
Hosted by the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, this fall's regional competition focused on the soils and geomorphology of the Allegheny Front, a landscape known for its steep, complex terrain and dynamic patterns of water movement. Working in these settings, students interpreted how geology, topography, and hydrology combine to shape soil profiles and influence land use.
Penn State's team rose to the challenge in a field of 95 individual competitors. First-time competitor Cara Hannum, from Mortonville, Pennsylvania, led the way with an 8th-place finish. She was followed by Jed Dreher of Oakmont, Pennsylvania, in 16th place, John Bicksler of Lewisburg, West Virginia, in 18th, and Joe Lofland of Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 20th place, where he tied with veteran team member Sloan Householder of Richmond, Virginia. Their combined effort helped Penn State secure a team finish that qualifies them for the 2026 National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest, to be hosted by North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
For many of the students, the contest was their first opportunity to test classroom knowledge under real-world field conditions while representing Penn State alongside peers from across the region.
"I really enjoyed getting to spend time with the team competing against other schools," said Joe Lofland, Springfield, Pennsylvania.
"I didn't know learning about soils could be so fun," added John Bicksler, Lewisburg, West Virginia.
Several students emphasized how much the intensive, three-day contest accelerated their learning.
"I gained more than a semester's worth of knowledge and skills in just the three days of competition," said Jed Dreher, Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
"It was a fun way to apply what I have learned while also adding so much to my knowledge of soils," said Cara Hannum, Mortonville, Pennsylvania.
Others highlighted how soil judging helps bridge the gap between lecture material and professional practice.
"It was awesome getting to know the team while getting hands-on experience learning from such knowledgeable people," said Joey Picciotti, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.
"This is more field work and practical application than I've gotten in any of my classes this semester," said Sloan Householder, Richmond, Virginia.
"I loved getting to apply concepts learned in class in a competitive field setting," added Brenna Fitzpatrick, Buffalo, New York.
For some, the trip completely reshaped their expectations of what studying soil could be.
"If you'd told me I'd have this much fun looking at soil, I never would've believed you," said Megan Heineman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"I am so grateful to have learned so much about soils and have the opportunity to compete with my friends," said Alison Weaver, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Soil judging is one of the most immersive, hands-on learning experiences available to students interested in environmental science, agriculture, and earth systems. By carefully describing and interpreting soil profiles in the field, students build skills in soil classification, landscape and geomorphic analysis, and environmental assessment...skills that are directly relevant to careers in soil science, agronomy, engineering, hydrology, and environmental consulting.
The Penn State Soil Judging Team, advised by Dr. Patrick Drohan in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, continues a tradition that spans more than seventy years. Team members commit significant time to field practices and weekend trips, but the rewards go far beyond trophies and rankings: they gain confidence as scientists, learn to work as a team in challenging conditions, and help carry forward Penn State's legacy of leadership in soil science and land stewardship.
The team will travel to North Carolina in spring 2026 to compete at the national contest and further hone their field skills on new landscapes.
Follow the Penn State Soil Judging Team on Instagram: @pennstate.soiljudging.
