Allen County SWCD offers free soil testing through NRCS grants: Urban/Small Farms Contribution Agreement and the Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) Contribution Agreement. Contact Scott Thompson to participate in this SWCD program: 260-657-3222.
For Purdue Extension’s soil testing:
https://bit.ly/soilsamplesallen
For more soil testing options, see the Healthy Soils Collaborative below.
The Healthy Soils Collaborative is a working group serving the greater Allen County area.
Our mission: to educate and inform community members about the importance of soil health and connect them with available resources.
We offer FREE site visits, soil testing, and technical assistance to urban residents and small farmers in Allen County.
For more information, email healthysoilscollaborative@gmail.com
or call (260)-484-5848 ext.3
Benefits
Increase Nutrient Efficiency
Maximize Economic Return
Increase Yields
Protect the Water Quality
Nutrient Management Goals
Nutrient application at the right time and place
Account for all sources of nutrients
Account for nutrients from previous crops and applications
Nutrient Management Practices
Soil Tests
Split Applications
Side Dressing
Nitrogen Stabilizers
Manure Testing
Application Calibration
Variable Rate Technologies
Nutrient Management Plan
Critical Area Planting
Establish vegetation in small areas of isolated erosion. The grass, trees, or shrubs provide surface cover to stop raindrop splash and slow water flow.
Cover Crops
Plant crops, including cereal rye, oats and winter wheat, to temporarily protect the ground from wind and water erosion during times when cropland isn’t adequately protected.
Conservation Tillage
Leave last year’s crop residue on the surface before and during planting operations to provide cover for soil. Crop residue shields soil particles from rain and wind until crops produce a protective canopy.
Water and Sediment Control Basins
Build an embankment across a depressional area of concentrated water runoff to act similar to a terrace. It traps sediment and water running off farmland above the structure.
Grassed Waterways
Grade and shape a natural drainageway to form a smooth, bowl shaped channel, and seed to sod-forming grasses. Runoff flows down the grassed drainageway, preventing erosion and the formation of gullies.
What is the Smart Soils Initiative?
Anew program from
Allen County SWCD that utilizes digital technology tools, an advanced drone and soil moisture sensors to provide technical assistance to farmers interested in testing conservation practices, such as no-till and/or cover crops on their farms.
This opportunity can provide on-farm data unique to your own farm and help you decide what is best for your farm operation.
How much does it cost?
The Smart Soils Initiative is a no-cost, free service to farmers located in Allen County, Indiana.
How much work is expected from me?
One of the main objectives of this program is not to be a heavy burden to the farmer, who can choose how much they want to participate in their on-farm demo. We have a specialized, trained staff person who can help with field site selection, experimental design, and data collection. We only ask the farmer to be willing to provide cropping management details and harvest data for our statistical analysis. Following harvest season, we will meet with the farmer to present them the un-biased, results of their on-farm demo.
Contact us for more information
