Brayden Arnall, a Stillwater High sophomore, is conducting hands-on soil research with support from his father, OSU soil scientist Brian Arnall. Brayden is weighing winter wheat seeds to compare irrigated and rain-fed plots and previously won the Environmental and Natural Resources Division at the National FFA Convention for research on ammonia evaporation. Brian performs advanced lab analyses — including CPI testing — to measure nutrients like nitrogen and potassium. The story illustrates young farmers using scientific methods to improve crop outcomes.
From Field to Lab: Stillwater Teen and His OSU Researcher Dad Cultivate a Passion for Soil Science
This Stillwater FFA Student and his OSU Researcher Dad Grew from the Same Soil
STILLWATER, Okla. — Brayden Arnall, a sophomore at Stillwater High School, is trading the barn for the lab as he measures winter wheat seed weight to compare irrigated plots with rain-fed fields. He and his father, Brian Arnall — a soil scientist at Oklahoma State University — often arrive together at OSU's new Agricultural Hall but pursue complementary work: Brayden with hands-on student research, Brian running professional lab analyses.
This school year Brayden has been carefully drying and weighing samples of winter wheat to determine how irrigation affects seed development and yield. His work builds on earlier research: as a freshman he studied ammonia volatilization in no-till versus tilled fields and took first place in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division at the National FFA Convention.
“We brought it here so we could dry it, measure it, and weigh it,” Brayden said, describing how samples are processed in the university lab.
Brian Arnall helps by guiding the experimental design and by running more advanced tests in OSU's facilities, including analyses on a CPI (Crop Productivity Index) unit. The lab work can pinpoint nutrient levels with great precision: testing for nitrogen, potassium and other key elements that affect plant health and yield.
“We know to the atom how much nitrogen is in a wheat plant or how much potassium is in a soil system,” Brian explained. “Those measurements help farmers and researchers fine-tune recommendations for healthier, more productive crops.”
Brayden admits he wasn’t always drawn to soil science. “I had no interest in soil science whatsoever,” he laughed, recalling how his father nudged him toward an agriscience project. Once he started, however, he discovered a passion for the subject — and for the practical side of research.
“I wanted to get a little bit dirty with my future career,” Brayden smiled.
Their story highlights a broader trend: younger generations in agricultural communities are embracing scientific approaches — from field trials to lab analytics — to improve crop yields and sustainability. As farmers prepare for the next planting season, student-researchers like Brayden are learning which practices could lead to healthier soils and better harvests.
More information: For details about Oklahoma FFA’s activities and recent successes at the 2025 National FFA Convention, visit the Oklahoma FFA website or your local extension office.
