On June 26th and 27th the Spink Conservation District hosted the annual South Dakota Rangeland and Soil Days where over 90 kids and 30 adults from all over the state came to Spink County to participate and volunteer.  This event was open to students from 8-18 years old and they could participate in either Rangeland or Soils events.  In the Rangeland division the students learned range plant identification as well as habitat suitability for cattle and grouse.  In the Soils division they learned how to determine soil texture, depth, erosion, slope, stoniness, and permeability along with giving homesite interpretations for lawns, foundations, septic systems, and sewage lagoons.  Students were also able to enter a display and give a speech on a rangeland topic.  Awards were given to each of the winners of judging, displays, and speeches.  Some students did all three, judging, display, and speeches, and competed for a belt buckle for the Top Hand in each age category.  Ty Haskell from Frankfort won the New Ranger Top Hand.  Lila Johnson from Frankfort placed 5th in the New Ranger judging.  The top 4-H Rangeland team was from Wessington Springs and they will go on to Oklahoma next spring to compete at the National competition.  In the Soils competition Titus Waldner, Hitchcock-Tulare placed second overall; Corbin Schwartz, Redfield placed 5th; Bailey Binger, Hitchcock-Tulare placed 7th; and Jennifer Hughes, Hitchcock-Tulare placed 8th.  The Hitchcock- Tulare team placed second as a team and Redfield placed 4th.  It was a great turn out and we look forward to hosting the event again in 2019.