Opening Earth Day, farmers and gardeners can now send soil samples to the UVM’s new Soil Health Research and Extension Center instead of going out-of-state.
Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont’s (UVM) new Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC) will begin accepting soil samples and offer local testing tailored to Vermont's unique soil conditions on Earth Day, April 22. SHREC will advance soil health research and provide invaluable resources to Vermont farmers by supplying specific insights with advanced soil health tests, including biological tests, carbon and organic matter analysis, and the ACE protein test for organic nitrogen.
“SHREC is an effort to do cutting-edge testing to provide really helpful information to farmers so they can better manage their soils for improved soil health and remain resilient to climate change,” said Joshua Faulkner, UVM soil hydrologist and Director of SHREC.
SHREC will take a farmer-focused approach, ensuring that research and test results are accessible and useful to farmers.
“We wanted extension to be a core part of this from the beginning so that we’re not just producing test results for researchers,” explained Faulkner. “Ultimately, we want farmers to be able to access the tests we’re providing and to use that information in their farming.”
Previously, to receive soil health reports, farmers had to send samples out of state, but even those tests did not provide the valuable data necessary for Vermont farmers. “Two big things the farmers are asking for are test results that reflect their management practices and measurements that reflect the biology of the soil,” said Deborah Neher, UVM soil ecologist and Associate Director of SHREC.
In addition to testing, SHREC will engage in various outreach activities, including workshops, focus groups, and field demonstrations, to support farmers and agricultural providers across the state. An advisory committee involving farmers, extensionists, agency and conservation personnel, and university representatives will guide SHREC’s mission.
Starting Earth Day, April 22, SHREC will begin accepting soil samples. Submission forms are available on their website (go.uvm.edu/shrec), and the cost for testing ranges from $12.50 to $25 per sample.
SHREC is supported by UVM's Food Systems Research Center (FSRC) which funds people and planet centered collaborative research that connects disciplines and communities to answer complex food systems questions. It is a partnership between UVM and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
Photo of soil testing courtesy of UVM SHREC.
About UVM: For People and Planet
Founded in 1791, UVM is the leading public university where discovery, creativity, community, and action coalesce to secure a thriving future for people and planet. Recognized among the nation’s top R1 research institutions, Vermont’s land-grant university attracts $260 million annually for groundbreaking research and enrolls approximately 14,000 students from 50 states and 75 countries. At UVM, students, faculty, and staff work together in pursuit of a healthier, greener future. Learn more at uvm.edu.
BURLINGTON, VT. – The University of Vermont
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