The University of Missouri’s soil judging team brought home several awards at the 2026 Region V soil judging contest, including first place in team judging and second place overall.  

The competition took place in the Ozarks Sept. 27 through Oct. 2, hosted by Mizzou and the Missouri Natural Resources Conservation Service (MO NRCS). 

Two members of Mizzou’s team also received individual awards at the contest. Kiran Koerner, junior studying music and environmental sciences, placed second and Allen Crabbe, a junior studying environmental sciences, placed third. 

Mizzou’s soil judging team is the largest in the nation. The team’s results at the regional competition have qualified the members to compete in the national competition in April. This follows the team’s second-place finish at nationals in the spring of 2026.