Cooperative Extension of Oswego County has always been the lead agency for local farmers and gardeners who want to learn how to get their soils tested. Soil testing is a fairly simple process. Extension educators walk growers through how to fill out the form, collect their soil samples and make sure the correct payment fee is included. Educators can also review the results of a soil test if there are questions. However, one of the barriers for local residents has been mailing their samples to the lab. Not only was this an additional expense, but it also made the process more time-consuming.
Joshua Vrooman, Agriculture Community Educator for Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, worked with Dairy-One to start a sample drop-box program. Farmers and gardeners still fill out a form and collect samples, but they no longer have to pay shipping. Instead, they place their form and samples in a small box or bag and place it in the Dairy-One Sample Drop Box located directly behind the Extension office in Mexico. Twice a week Dairy-One will pick up the samples free of charge. Dairy-One will also invoice growers, which means payment is no longer required upfront.
Vrooman says, “Dairy-One has drop boxes in other parts of the state, but there was a gap in our county. So, we contacted them about establishing a drop box right at our office.” Vrooman continued, “We wanted to reduce the barriers that come with soil testing by saving growers money and time.” Corey Potter, Facilities and Materials Manager for Dairy-One, stated, “When we looked at our state map, we realized there was a practical need in the region.” Together, Potter and Vrooman worked on the project, along with Gina Garland, Forage and Soil Lab Director at Dairy-One. Garland said, “Our forage and soil drop off sites are located all over the state. The goal is to make the process easier and more streamlined. We hope this new sample drop box helps local growers.”
For more information about soil testing, please contact Joshua Vrooman, Agriculture Community Educator for Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, at jwv33@cornell.edu or 315-963-7286, ext. 200. Dairy-One also provides other services in addition to soil analysis. For additional information, please contact them directly by going to their website located at https://dairyone.com/ or by calling 1-800-344-2697.
