FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas soil judging team placed second in this fall's regional competition and has earned a spot in the national contest for the eighth straight year.

The team, made up of students from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science's Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, finished second in the Region IV Collegiate Soil Judging Contest hosted by Texas A&M University in San Marcos, Texas.

The team, coached by CSES professor of applied soil physics and pedology Kris Brye, includes Erik Archer, Ryder Anderson, Carlee Hensley, Diego Della Lunga, Matt Sena and Jordan Slayden.

Anderson finished third in the individual competition.

"This year's regional contest was particularly challenging due to the large diversity of soils and landscapes in the practice areas," said Brye. "This is an irreplaceable educational experience and all of my students recognize the value of participating in soil judging competitions."

Last year's team placed second in the regional competition before finishing eighth in the national contest for its second straight top 10 national finish. Arkansas was ninth in the country in 2016.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.