Free soil testing to save money
Save money by testing your soil! A soil test will determine the amount of nutrients on your field and help you calculate the amount of fertilizer needed for your next crop. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Water Resources Institute are once again offering free soil testing for agricultural producers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. This program supports the implementation of the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Protection Plan and will result in reduced nutrient loading to area waterbodies all while saving the producer’s input costs.
Instructions for soil sampling and sample bags can be picked up at the Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy County AgriLife Extension offices, the TSSWCB Harlingen regional Office, or USDA service centers in those three counties. Once soil samples are collected, they can be dropped off at those same locations for shipping to the Soil Water and Forage testing laboratory at Texas A&M University in College Station. Test results will be sent directly to growers via email address provided on the sample form.
This soil testing campaign is being funded by a State Nonpoint Source Grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. Samples will be accepted and analyzed free of charge for agricultural producers from now until the spring of 2023 or until grant funds are expended.
To learn more about the soil testing campaign, please contact Mr. Jaime Flores at: jjflores@ag.tamu.edu or your local County Extension Agent, USDA-NRCS, and TSSWCB Offices at:
Cameron County Extension Office |
Cameron County USDA NRCS Office |
Hidalgo County Extension Office |
Hidalgo County USDA NRCS Office |
County Extension Office |
Willacy County USDA NRCS Office |
District 12 Extension Office |
Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Office |