What is the health of my soil? Free soil health testing offered fall 2024

Monica Jean<atkinmon@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Field crop farmers can get two fields tested for soil health with a Michigan State University grant.

Using a probe to pull a sample of soil out of the ground.
Pulling a soil health test. Photo by Monica Jean, MSU Extension.

Have you been wondering about getting a soil health assessment done of your fields? There is an opportunity to get a free soil health test with Michigan State University Extension through a newly funded research project. The team of researchers are looking for row crop farms interested in free soil health tests to sign up now with sampling happening fall of 2024.

How does this work?

Any row-crop farmer in Michigan is eligible to participate. Once enrolled, select two fields of your choice. A member of the team will visit your fields and soil sample post-harvest 2024. Results will be shared back through a report and an optional consultation.

Included in the soil assessment is a routine nutrient test report, pH, texture, soil respiration (similar to the Solvita test), permanganate oxidizable carbon (sensitive carbon measure, strongly related to SOM), Autoclaved-citrate extractable protein (organically bound pool of nitrogen) and enzymatic activity (indicative of microbial activity and nutrient cycling).

Our project seeks to understand how climate change and extreme weather events impact crop yields, soil health and the economic well-being of farmers across Michigan while facilitating opportunities for Michigan farms to contribute to climate change solutions.

How to sign up

Complete an enrollment survey

Enrollment Deadline: September 15, 2024

For more information, please reach out to Monica Jean, MSU Extension field crop educator, at atkinmon@msu.edu or 616-443-8782.

This work is a partnership that includes Michigan State University, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan State University AgBioResearch, the Michigan Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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  • agriculture,
  • agriculture and environment,
  • beginning farmer,
  • climate change,
  • climate resiliency,
  • corn,
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  • field crops,
  • msu extension,
  • research,
  • soil health,
  • soybeans,
  • wheat
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