November 6, 2024
K-State Agronomy Crops Team wins Central Regional Contest, eyes national championship
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The Agronomy Crops Team, from left: Faith Winkelmann, Karlie Albright, Ella Pachta, Molly Kane, Benton Kerr, Carissa Sohm, Peyton Merrick and Lakin Giager. |
The Agronomy Crops Team placed first at the 2024 Central Regional Crops Contest, hosted by Kansas State University at the Agronomy Farm in Manhattan on Saturday, Oct. 12. Competing teams included Iowa State University, Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University.
The K-State team took first place, with contestants Molly Kane, senior agronomy, Paola; Lakin Giager, sophomore in agronomy, Parsons; and Carissa Sohm, junior in agronomy, Rolla; taking home first, second and third place individually. Alternate contestants included Karlie Albright, junior in agricultural education, Delia; Faith Winkelmann, senior in agronomy, Seward, Nebraska; Ella Pachta, junior in agricultural education, Belleville; Benton Kerr, sophomore in agronomy, Manhattan; and Peyton Merrick, freshman in agronomy, Cherryvale. The team is coached by Rachel Cott, who is assisted by Sarah Frye, agronomy academic coordinator, and Quinten Bina, junior in agronomy and agricultural education, Pilsen.
Kansas State University boasts a unique and well-known legacy in its undergraduate Crops Judging Team, which is based in the department of agronomy and was established in 1923. Students competing on these judging teams have opportunities to refine and showcase their agronomic skills, including plant and seed identification, problem-solving, grain and seed quality assessments, and general agronomic knowledge. They also network with students from other universities and travel to contests in different regions of the country to experience diverse cropping and agricultural systems.
The team will travel to Kansas City, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois, for the National Crops Contest from Nov. 17-23. If the Crops Judging Team secures the national championship, it will be the 33rd national fall title earned by Kansas State University.
"Agronomy is incredibly proud of our students and faculty coaches who continue to garner regional and national accolades in crop judging. This latest accomplishment is a reflection of strong preparation by students and coaching by the faculty. Congratulations to the entire Crops Team, the individual winners and the coaches," said Raj Khosla, agronomy department head.
Please contact Coach Rachel Cott at rveenstra@k-state.edu for additional information, and follow the team on X @KStateCropsTeam.