What is the Grassland Evaluation Contest?
An educational opportunity for PA high school students enrolled in FFA and 4-H programs, or members of a high school affiliated club. The contest is aimed at educating youth about the value and benefits of grazing and other conservation practices. The Grassland Evaluation contest is hosted by SWPG.
What happens when you win?
Winners can receive scholarships to continue their education at any accredited institution of higher learning. All members of the First Place Team will receive $500 scholarships. All members of the Second Place Team will receive $250 scholarships. The Highest Scoring Individual will receive a $500 scholarship.
How do I sign up?
2024 Contest Brochure
2024 Contest Registration Form
Grassland Evaluation Contest Study Guide
An educational opportunity for PA high school students enrolled in FFA and 4-H programs, or members of a high school affiliated club. The contest is aimed at educating youth about the value and benefits of grazing and other conservation practices. The Grassland Evaluation contest is hosted by SWPG.
What happens when you win?
Winners can receive scholarships to continue their education at any accredited institution of higher learning. All members of the First Place Team will receive $500 scholarships. All members of the Second Place Team will receive $250 scholarships. The Highest Scoring Individual will receive a $500 scholarship.
How do I sign up?
2024 Contest Brochure
2024 Contest Registration Form
Grassland Evaluation Contest Study Guide
1st Place Team - Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA
2nd Place Team - Carmichaels Area team
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest 2023
The 2023 Pennsylvania Grasslands Evaluation Contest was hosted by Southwest Project Grass (SWPG) on September 28 at Rock Springs. The Grassland Evaluation Contest is an educational opportunity for PA high school students enrolled in FFA and 4-H programs, or members of a high school affiliated club. The contest is aimed at educating youth about the value and benefits of grazing and other conservation practices. The Grassland Evaluation contest is hosted by SWPG and other partners each fall. Each participant answers questions about Soils, Wildlife, Plant Identification, and Grassland Condition. Representatives from NRCS and Penn State facilitated the stations and representatives from NRCS, the State Conservation Commission, Conservations Districts, and farmers helped with the rest of the contest. This year, 16 teams from across the state competed in the completion. The members of the first-place team each received a $500 scholarship, the second-place team members each receive a $250 scholarship, and the high scoring individual receives a $500 scholarship. The winning team has the opportunity to compete in the national contest held in June in Missouri. Sponsors for the event include: Fayette Conservation District, Centre County Conservation District, Bucks County Conservation District, Cambria Conservation District, Greene County Conservation District, Washington Conservation District, Bedford County Conservation District, and Pennsylvania GLC. |
1st Place Team - Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA
2nd Place Team - Carmichaels Area team
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest 2022
The 2022 Pennsylvania Grasslands Evaluation Contest was hosted by Southwest Project Grass (SWPG) on September 29 at Rock Springs. This year, 15 teams from across the state competed in the completion. The members of the first-place team each received a $500 scholarship, the second-place team members each receive a $250 scholarship, and the high scoring individual receives a $500 scholarship. The winning team has the opportunity to compete in the national contest held in June in Missouri. Sponsors for the event include: Somerset Conservation District, Centre County Conservation District, Pennsylvania Livestock Association, Indian County Conservation District, Huntingdon Conservation District, Greene County Conservation District, Washington Conservation District, Pennsylvania GLC, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. View the full press release 
Highest Individual Scorer -Isaiah Conoway
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1st Place Team - Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA
2nd Place Team - Carmichaels Area team
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest 2021
Forty-eight students from around Pennsylvania gathered at the Ag Progress Days site on September 30, 2021. They were competing in the Grassland Evaluation Contest with a focus on the value and benefits of pasture management, wildlife, livestock grazing , and soil health. Winning teams receive scholarships toward their secondary education at any accredited institution. Winning teams also have the opportunity to compete in the National Competition in Missouri. The contest organizers and sponsors listed on the sides congratulate all competing students for the time and effort taken to prepare for the event. View the full press release 
Highest Individual Scorer -Lillian Conoway
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1st Place Team - Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest 2019
The 2019 Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest, presented by Southwest Project Grass, was held on October 10, 2019 at Penn State’s Special Events building located at the Ag Progress Days facility. Fifteen Teams including 56 students, from across the Commonwealth competed in this year’s contest. The first-place team, Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA, included Naaman Conoway, McKenna Fox, Cheyenne Holdren, and Thea Homan. Each student receives a $500 College Scholarship. The second place team, Penns Valley FFA , included Alden Homan, Michael Johnson, Dristen Wolfe, and Abby Zajaczuowski. Each student receives a $250 College Scholarship. Cheyenne Holdren, from Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA, was the Highest Scoring Individual and receives an additional $500 College Scholarship View the full press release |
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest 2018
The 2018 Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest, presented by Southwest Project Grass, was held on October 11th at Penn State’s Special Events building located at the Ag Progress Days facility. Fifteen Teams including 58 students, from across the Commonwealth competed in this years contest. The first-place team, West Perry FFA, included Garret Beal, Garret Bolze, Tim Foster, and Sam Groff. Each student receives a $500 College Scholarship. The second-place team, Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA, included Cheyenne Holdren, Thea Homan, Alanta Doan, and McKenna Fox. Each student receives a $250 College Scholarship. Garrett Beal, from West Perry FFA, was the Highest Scoring Individual and receives an additional $500 College Scholarship. View the full press release
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1st Place Team - West Perry FFA
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2nd Place Team - Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA
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View the full press release.
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest - 2017
The 14th Annual Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest took place on October 12th at Penn State's Ag Progress Days Facility. Nine teams from acorss the Commonwealth Competed. West Perry FFA claimed first place with Sugar Valley Rural Charter School FFA placing second. The First Place Team was composed of Garret Beal, Garrett Bolze, Keith Dubaich, and Isaac Nulton; each student receives a $500 College Scholarship. The Second Place Team included Naaman Conoway, McKenna Fox, Lauryn Geisewite, and Jacob Jeffries; each student receives a $250 College Scholarship. Garrett Beal was the Highest Scoring Individual and receives an additional $500 College Scholarship. |
1st Place Team - West Perry
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2nd Place Team - Sugar Valley Rural Charter School
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Highest Scoring Individual - Garrett Beal, West Perry
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest - 2016
The Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest took place on September 29th at Penn State’s Special Events building located at the Ag Progress Days facility. Six Teams from across the Commonwealth competed in this year’s contest. West Perry FFA claimed first and second places. The first place team included Colby McMillen, Kraig Cullison, Jared Foster, and Sam Groff, each student receives a $500 College Scholarship. The second place team included Isaac Nulton, Garrett Beal, Garrett Bolze, and Jasmine Weibley, each student receives a $250 College Scholarship. Colby McMillen was the Highest Scoring Individual and receives an additional $500 College Scholarship.
View the full press release.
The Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest took place on September 29th at Penn State’s Special Events building located at the Ag Progress Days facility. Six Teams from across the Commonwealth competed in this year’s contest. West Perry FFA claimed first and second places. The first place team included Colby McMillen, Kraig Cullison, Jared Foster, and Sam Groff, each student receives a $500 College Scholarship. The second place team included Isaac Nulton, Garrett Beal, Garrett Bolze, and Jasmine Weibley, each student receives a $250 College Scholarship. Colby McMillen was the Highest Scoring Individual and receives an additional $500 College Scholarship.
View the full press release.
1st Place Team - West Perry
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2nd Place Team - West Perry
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Highest Scoring Individual - West Perry's Colby McMillen
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest - 2015
The Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest was held on October 1, 2015 at the Ag Progress Days Site in Rock Springs, PA. Nine teams from across the state participated in the contest. A total of thirty five high school age FFA and 4H students competed. The contest focuses on grazing and grassland management including plant identification, soil health, wildlife habitat, and pasture management. College Scholarships are awarded to the first and second place teams and the highest scoring individual.
View the full press release.
The Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest was held on October 1, 2015 at the Ag Progress Days Site in Rock Springs, PA. Nine teams from across the state participated in the contest. A total of thirty five high school age FFA and 4H students competed. The contest focuses on grazing and grassland management including plant identification, soil health, wildlife habitat, and pasture management. College Scholarships are awarded to the first and second place teams and the highest scoring individual.
View the full press release.
First Place Team Cambria County 4H (in no particular order) Team Members: Brandon Davis, Audrey Ritko, Morgan Watt, Richard Wagner. Coaches: Genny Christ and Virgil Wilford
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Fall Grassland Evaluation Contest - 2014
The Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest took place on October 14, 2014 at Penn State Ag Progress Days site. The contest is an experiential education opportunity for PA high school students enrolled in FFA and 4-H programs, or members of high school affiliated clubs. Contest programs focus on the value and benefits of pasture management, livestock grazing and soil health and wildlife habitat. Winning teams receive scholarships toward their education at any accredited institution and the opportunity to compete in a National Competition in Missouri.
View the full press release.
The Pennsylvania Grassland Evaluation Contest took place on October 14, 2014 at Penn State Ag Progress Days site. The contest is an experiential education opportunity for PA high school students enrolled in FFA and 4-H programs, or members of high school affiliated clubs. Contest programs focus on the value and benefits of pasture management, livestock grazing and soil health and wildlife habitat. Winning teams receive scholarships toward their education at any accredited institution and the opportunity to compete in a National Competition in Missouri.
View the full press release.
Spring Grassland Evaluation Contest - 2014
The FFA Team A from Conocoheague was the overall team winner of the May 2014 Grasslands Contest that was held at the PSU Ag Progress site, organized by Southwest Project Grass. The GLCI (Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative), a nationwide collaboration of individuals and organizations working to improve the nation's grazing land, was the prime sponsor of the Grasslands Evaluation Contest. Other contributors include: PA Livestock Association, NRCS, Penn's Corner RC&D, Conservation Districts, Penn State and JBH Farms.
View the full press release.
The FFA Team A from Conocoheague was the overall team winner of the May 2014 Grasslands Contest that was held at the PSU Ag Progress site, organized by Southwest Project Grass. The GLCI (Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative), a nationwide collaboration of individuals and organizations working to improve the nation's grazing land, was the prime sponsor of the Grasslands Evaluation Contest. Other contributors include: PA Livestock Association, NRCS, Penn's Corner RC&D, Conservation Districts, Penn State and JBH Farms.
View the full press release.
Who is PAGLC?
The Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Coalition (PAGLC), formerly the Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (PAGLCI), is a corporation of people working together to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of Pennsylvania’s privately-owned grazing land. We address the needs of grazing and forage lands in Pennsylvania through education, mentorship, and research.
Visit PAGLC's website for more information
The Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Coalition (PAGLC), formerly the Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (PAGLCI), is a corporation of people working together to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of Pennsylvania’s privately-owned grazing land. We address the needs of grazing and forage lands in Pennsylvania through education, mentorship, and research.
Visit PAGLC's website for more information
PAGLC Mini Grants
Grants through PAGLC are available for field days and pasture walks, trainings, conferences, and other activities that include grazing or forage management as a main topic to reach producers interested in improving their pastures and livestock grazing operations. Funding can be used to help offset any expenses needed to hold the conference or event (except food!). Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and there is no deadline for applications at this time.
PAGLC Mini Grants info
Grants through PAGLC are available for field days and pasture walks, trainings, conferences, and other activities that include grazing or forage management as a main topic to reach producers interested in improving their pastures and livestock grazing operations. Funding can be used to help offset any expenses needed to hold the conference or event (except food!). Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and there is no deadline for applications at this time.
PAGLC Mini Grants info