Soil sampling program available for Hoosier farmers

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program is now accepting applications.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and partners worked with the Gulf Hypoxia Program to develop a no-cost program to increase the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice.

This program includes row crop fields, pastures, hay and specialty crops located within Indiana’s portion of the Mississippi River Basin. It excludes hobby gardens and private lawns.

Sign-ups end Oct. 17, or until funds are exhausted.

Interested landowners can sign up online at https://tinyurl.com/Soil-Sampling-Program, or by reaching out to Nutrient Stewardship Program Manager Ophelia Norman at soilsampling@isda.in.gov.

“This program is helpful and valuable for our Hoosier farmers,” said Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Indiana’s secretary of agriculture and rural development.

“By offering no-cost access to soil sampling, this initiative supports farmers with the tools and knowledge to make smarter nutrient management decisions. I encourage our farmers to apply.”

ISDA promotes the importance of nutrient management and the principles of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework — using the right source, right rate, right time and right place to achieve your goals.

Soil sampling is the first step to developing a responsible nutrient management plan.

Soil samples give insight into the soil’s fertility, which has several benefits:

• Improved fertilizer application recommendations.

• Ability to assess available nutrients over time.

• Increased farmer profitability.

• Enhance environmental protection by reducing the risk of nutrient loss.

“A no-cost program for farmers to utilize for soil testing is a great tool in this farm economy,” said Don Lamb, director of ISDA. “Healthy soils are vital for crop health, animal health and conservation.”

This program was made possible thanks to ISDA, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance, Indiana Conservation Partnership members, farmers and crop advisers.