Soil Analysis

 

Soil analysis is important, but it can be pricey. Let us help you out! Contact Matthew Karas, Conservation Outreach Coordinator, to schedule your free soil analysis. (413) 362-4720 or MatthewHHCD@gmail.com

If you are a farmer working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), you can receive free soil samples for all the fields related to your conservation plan. 

For farmers and gardeners who are not working with NRCS, you can receive 3 free soil samples, including the collection, processing, and submission of samples to a lab. Each additional sample is charged a fee on a sliding scale between $10-$40/sample. 

UMass is a simpler sampling method and results are available between 2-3 weeks. You can find information about these UMass soil analysis on their Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratories website. Cornell is home of the highly regarded Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH) that is used by industry professionals and farmers, but the results take much longer (at least 3 months). The two CASH options we are offering are:

Basic Soil Health Analysis Package

Required sample size: 4 cups
Recommended applications: field crops, dairy, lawns

Includes these tests:

  • Soil pH, Organic Matter, Modified Morgan Extractable P, K, additional nutrients: Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Al, Ca, Cu, S, B
  • Wet Aggregate Stability
  • Active Carbon
  • Soil Organic Carbon, Total Carbon, Total Nitrogen
  • Surface, sub-surface hardness interpretation (Optional: You provide the penetrometer readings.)

 

Standard Soil Health Analysis Package

Required sample size: 4 cups
Recommended applications: organic production, vegetable crops, problem diagnosis, home gardens

Includes these tests:

  • Soil pH, Organic Matter, Modified Morgan Extractable P, K, additional nutrients: Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Al, Ca, Cu, S, B
  • Soil Texture
  • Active Carbon
  • Wet Aggregate Stability
  • Soil Respiration
  • Soil Organic Carbon, Total Carbon, Total Nitrogen
  • Predicted Autoclave-Citrate Extractable (ACE) Protein
  • Predicted Available Water Capacity
  • Surface, sub-surface hardness interpretation (Optional: You provide the penetrometer readings.)

 

Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating the options!