Competition Study Resources
2027 NCF-Envirothon Maryland Competition
July 24 - 30, 2027
Emmitsburg, MD
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2027 Current Issue Topic
Soil Health Management: Agricultural Principles and Stewardship
Soil Health Principles emphasize the importance of treating soil as a living ecosystem and are the cornerstone for resilient agriculture and ensuring the long-term protection of our natural resources. Maryland has become a national leader in soil health stewardship driven by its commitment to sustainable agriculture and Chesapeake Bay restoration. Farmers from across Maryland have integrated these principles with nutrient management and conservation strategies, making it a model for climate-smart farming. Maryland’s agricultural sector plays a vital role in protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries through the adoption of soil health practices.
Maryland’s Cover Crop Program is recognized as one of the most successful in the United States. Each year, Maryland farmers plant over 450,000 acres of cover crops, which helps reduce soil erosion, improve soil organic matter, and capture residual nutrients before they leach into waterways. Maryland Farmers also embraced conservation tillage and no-till farming, with more than 50% of cropland managed under reduced tillage systems. These practices protect soil structure, enhance microbial activity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Such efforts demonstrate how healthy soils not only sustain crop productivity but also serve as a powerful tool for water quality improvement and ecosystem restoration. Farmers and conservation professionals are using soil health principles to restore degraded soils and reduce pollution. In Maryland, these efforts have directly improved the Chesapeake Bay’s water quality through reduced nutrient runoff, increased infiltration, and better soil structure. The insights gained from Maryland farmers can be applied worldwide to help promote sustainability in agricultural practices.
This Envirothon issue explores the biological, chemical, and physical principles of soil health and their importance to sustainable agriculture. Students will learn how soil functions as a living ecosystem, how management practices affect soil processes (nutrient cycling, water dynamics, agricultural sustainability), and how to evaluate and improve soil health on farms.
2027 Study Resources
Learning Objectives and Resource Guides
Please Note:
- Any hyperlinks within the study resources, except for those specifically mentioned as a resource on the Key Topics pages and with a dedicated page in the resources (i.e., YouTube videos), are supplemental material ONLY. They may be used for additional information, but are not required study resources.
- The below Study Resource file may be large and take time to download depending on your connection speed.
About the Current Issue Study Guides:
There are TWO (2) sections of study resources for Current Issues:
- Part A: Key Topics, Learning Objectives, and Study Resources related to the 2027 Current Issue, featuring resources from regional, North American, and global perspectives. Click on the image to the left to download Part A.
- Part B: Key Topics, Learning Objectives, and Study Resources related to the 2027 Current Issue, featuring resources more specific to Maryland. To Be Posted May 2027.
BOTH sections will be used for the 2027 NCF-Envirothon Annual Competition's Current Issue test and oral presentation component.
Additional 2027 Competition Study Resources will be posted here May 2027. These include guides for Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils and Land Use, Wildlife, and Part B of Current Issues.
Competition How To Guides
Supplemental How To Guides - Videos and Slideshows
In 2025, the Alberta Host Committee created the below videos and slideshows to help team prepare for the annual competition. These are supplemental at this time, but still very helpful resources for teams to review.
