1st EUROPEAN SOIL JUDGING CONTEST 2025

As part of the EUROSOIL 2025 we are pleased to announce the launch of the 1st European Soil Judging Competition! This is an opportunity to demonstrate your skills, whilst enjoying some time away in Alcoi, Alicante, a beautiful Mediterranean mountain area of Eastern Spain. In teams of four you will spend time in training with some of the foremost experts in the field of soil science, before representing your country or region in competition at sites around two Natural Parks. The Soil Judging Contest is open to all registered students who are not otherwise employed in any job related to soil survey. The scope of the competition is that participants use their knowledge and practical skills to describe, understand and interpret soil characteristics in the field. Participants (in the form of teams and individuals) will describe a series of contest profiles using basic field methods, selected standards and guidelines. They will give a basic classification according to World Reference Base for Soil Resources and according to Soil Taxonomy. The winners will be selected on their ability to correctly describe and classify each soil, evaluate potential soil functions and interpret their capacity to perform under different land use and management practices. To prepare for the competition, the event includes a four-day technical training course.