BSSS Soil Judging Competition
Taking place on 8-10 July at the University of Nottingham (Sutton Bonington Campus) and other sites in the area
We are excited to announce that the British Society of Soil Science’s upcoming Soil Judging event in Nottinghamshire, taking place on 8-10 July 2025, is open for bookings! This is the first event of its kind in the Society’s history and is something that is being pioneered by our Early Careers Committee.
ABOUT
Soil Judging is a popular phenomenon in other parts of the world, so we are delighted to be able to offer this for our Early Career members. In fact, soil judging is an event that was started in America as a competition between colleges where students use their knowledge of soils to describe and classify a soil profile to the best of their ability.
HOW IT WORKS
This event will take place over three days. The first two days will consist of classroom workshop training and in-field soil pit practicals, with professional soil scientists as your ‘coach’. They will teach you how to describe and classify soil profiles. When you are in the field, an information card will be provided at each soil pit with data you will use to help classify your soil, such as chemical and landscape information. Together with your soil profile in front of you, you will complete a ‘scorecard’ describing and classifying the soil pit. This scorecard will cover aspects of:
- Site characteristics (e.g. slope class, land use, parent material)
- Soil morphology (e.g. horizon designation, texture, colour)
- Soil profile characteristics (e.g. wetness class and permeability)
- World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) classification
COMPETITION
The final day will be a friendly ‘competition’ where you will put your training into practice by describing two soil pits within a time limit, one as an individual and one as part of a team (without your coaches this time!). This will be followed by a celebration and networking evening, where not only will the winners be announced, but you will be able to network with other Early Career members at the event and those who sponsored the event, over a dinner.
BASIS points will be awarded for this event. If you have any questions relating to this event, don’t hesitate to reach out to the BSSS Early Careers Committee Chair, Danni, at dannielle.roche@ceresresearch.com
The event is primarily aimed at Early Career professionals who will get priority booking to the event. We have now opened this up to all BSSS members and also non-members with respective ticket prices. If you are interested in BSSS membership and getting access to various benefits and exclusive discounts, please check out the website or email the BSSS team at admin@soils.org.uk
SPONSORS
We are delighted to announce that ADAS are the platinum sponsors for the event. ADAS is the leading agricultural R&D and consultancy business in the UK, with over 80 specialisms including soil science, crop physiology, crop protection, nutrition, horticulture, sustainable supply chains, ecology, economics, policy, modelling, informatics, GIS and web/software development.
We are also pleased to have Ceres Rural onboard as a sponsor for the event.
GRANT FUNDING
For those who require funding, there will be grants available via the Brian Chambers Soil Fund. To find out more about this, please email us at admin@soils.org.uk
Places are limited so book now to avoid missing out.
Food and drink will be provided. (Please specify any dietary requirements under the relevant section in the registration form.)
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
The ticket price includes the training and practicals on Days 1 & 2, the competition on Day 3, equipment, transport between the main venue (University of Nottingham Bonington Campus) and main sites, an awards evening and meal on Day 3, as well as refreshments throughout the three days. This does NOT include accommodation or evening meals on Days 1 and 2.
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If you have booked but would like to cancel for whatever reason, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.
