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New Indiana soil sampling program designed to help farmers improve nutrient management

A new program from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture could help farmers improve soil health.

Director Don Lamb says the Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program is designed to help farmers make better nutrient management decisions.

“It all starts with soil sampling,” he says. “If you start with healthy soil, that helps everything grow across the board. On our farm, that’s always our goal. To have healthier soils for our crops to grow.”

He tells Brownfield healthy soils are essential to long-term profitability. 

“We started with no-till on our farm and then we implemented some cover crops and buffer strips,” he says. “Conservation is constantly improving here in Indiana. We are a leader in conservation, and I think that’s a good indication that our farmers take soil health seriously.”

Lamb says the program will help producers establish a baseline for future conservation and management decisions.

Applications for the program are open through November 6th.