BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. – The 41st Rangeland Days and 20th Soil Days event is an educational youth event hosted in collaboration with several partners including SDSU Extension, conservation districts, and natural resource agencies.
Open to FFA and 4-H youth, the event encourages learning about rangeland and soil conservation through hands-on experiences. Youth aged 8 to 18 can register for Rangeland Days, while those aged 14 to 18 are eligible for Soil Days. The deadline for pre-registration is May 30, with a $40 fee covering meals and materials for both days.
On the first day, participants will head outdoors to study soil and rangeland concepts and practice contest skills. The evening features student displays and public speaking opportunities. The following morning includes official judging contests, with awards presented after lunch.
Soil Days focuses on understanding soil texture, identifying health-limiting factors, making land-use recommendations, and assessing building suitability. The top scorer in the soils contest will receive the prestigious Soil Top Hand award.
Rangeland Days offers three contest categories—display, talk, and judging—with participants eligible for a Top Award if they compete in all. Youth compete in divisions by age and experience: New Rangers, Wranglers, Scouts, and Go Getters. Topics include plant identification, ecological site knowledge, and evaluating land use for livestock and wildlife.
Top contestants may go on to represent South Dakota at national-level competitions, including the National Land and Range Judging Contest and the Society for Range Management Meeting.
The 41st Rangeland Days and 20th Soil Days is scheduled for June 10–11, 2025, at the Belle Fourche Community Hall.
