Roots That Run Deep: Fresno State Soil Judging Team

For Pennsylvania native Michael Sowers, the roots of soil science – and soil judging – run deep. After competing on the soil judging team as a student at Delaware Valley University and earning his degree in soil science, Sowers spent two decades working professionally in Pennsylvania and eventually returned to his alma mater as head coach of the soil judging team.

In 2014, a new opportunity brought Sowers to California, where he accepted a position with Valley Irrigation. He assumed his days of collegiate soil judging coaching were behind him – until a mix of passion, persistence, and support from faculty at Fresno State helped him build something entirely new: the university’s first-ever Bulldog Soil Judging Team.

For three years, Sowers coached the team on a volunteer basis, dedicating his Friday nights to teaching students the fundamentals of soil judging. At the time, Fresno State and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo were the only two schools in California with a team, meaning they had a clear path to the national competition. But that changed quickly. Soon, other agricultural universities followed Fresno State’s lead – UC Davis, Chico State, Cal Poly Humboldt, and New Mexico State – and the competition intensified, requiring teams to qualify regionally for the first time. In 2024, after years of steady progress, the Fresno State team earned its first regional victory – securing a hard-fought spot on the national stage.

Two years ago, the team was officially integrated into Fresno State’s curriculum as a credit-earning course, and Sowers was hired as plant science faculty. With classroom instruction, students gained deeper exposure to soil science and access to institutional funding opportunities. 

The impact of the Soil Judging Team reaches far beyond the classroom. The practical application to soil science and ability to study, analyze and understand diverse soil types is highly valuable in a variety of career fields. Many former Fresno State Soil Judging students go on to earn their Pest Control Adviser or Certified Crop Adviser license, and use their award-winning soil expertise to help growers interpret soil sample results, address deficiencies, and ultimately increase yield and profits. Beyond career preparation, the experience of representing their university leaves lasting impacts on students.

“Being a part of the Fresno State Soil Judging team gives these students a sense of pride and belonging – and allows them to proudly compete as a Bulldog,” says Sowers. 

A gift to the Fresno State Soil Judging team has the power to not only transform a student’s academic experience, but also prepare the next generation of soil science leaders in the Valley. Your contribution helps increase the amount of students who are offered the opportunity to travel to competitions, cover the expense of meals and transportation during competitions, and source necessary equipment. Help support the next generation of soil science professionals by clicking the button below. 

Give to the Fresno State Soil Judging Team

Sowers and his team also find great value in traveling the Valley to conduct evaluations on various soil types – to provide the students with diverse experiences that prepare them for regional and national competitions. If you’re interested in providing a hands-on opportunity for the Soil Judging Team, reach out to Michael Sowers at michaelsowers@mail.fresnostate.edu.