Course: SLF 150 Pasture Management

Unit 1 Assignment

Soil Lab: Perform Your Soil Test (25 points)

Part 1
After completing the Reading and Audio Visual activity, complete your own soil test and submit your sample to an area extension center. You may sample soil from your own farm, a farm you have access to, or even your own backyard.

1. Before you take the sample, contact your local extension center for current fees and services information.
2. Depending on your particular soil sample you need to find a lab to suit your needs and location. Be sure to inquire about what types of soil samples your lab accepts. Some labs may not take agriculture pasture samples but take regular backyard or garden samples.
3. Verify their sampling procedures. Often labs will provide sample bags for you before you take your soil test.
4. Follow the steps to take your soil sample.
5. Request an interpretation of your soil test results, and find out when you can expect the results.

Please Note: You will be using your soil test results for your final project in this class. Keep track of them once you receive them back from your lab!

Part 2
Write a report of your soil test process, and submit it to the Dropbox folder found on the course home page. Be sure to include the following information in your report:

- The name of the location where you took your soil sample.
- The name and address of your local extension center.
- Current fees and services they offer
- Sampling services they offer
- How long it will take to get your soil sample interpretation results