Soil sampling program available for Hoosier farmers

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), in partnership with organizations statewide and the Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP), is reopening its no‑cost initiative to expand the use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice. Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program is once again accepting applications.

“Hoosier farmers make decisions every day that shape the future of their land and their communities,” said Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “This no‑cost soil sampling program gives producers valuable information they can use to boost productivity, reduce unnecessary expenses, and strengthen the long‑term health of their fields. I strongly encourage eligible farmers to apply so they can take advantage of an opportunity that delivers real value to their operation and supports Indiana’s broader conservation goals.”

ISDA promotes the importance of nutrient management and the principles of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework, which emphasizes using the Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time and Right Place to meet crop production goals. Soil sampling and testing are central to that approach and serve as the first step in developing an effective nutrient management plan. By assessing a field’s fertility, farmers can make informed fertilizer decisions, monitor nutrient levels over time, improve profitability, and reduce the risk of nutrient loss. This program supports those efforts and advances Indiana’s State Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

“Soil sampling is one of the most effective tools we have for improving both farm profitability and environmental outcomes,” said Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “This no‑cost program gives producers reliable data they can act on, while also supporting Indiana’s broader nutrient‑reduction goals. We’re encouraging eligible farmers to register because the information gained from these samples strengthens individual operations and contributes to a healthier Mississippi River Basin.”

This program includes row crop fields, pastures, hay and specialty crops located within Indiana’s portion of the Mississippi River Basin. Eligible landowners will be prioritized by acreage enrolled (i.e., 100 acres or less), fields that have never been soil sampled and fields that haven’t been sampled regularly (i.e., within the last 4 years). Further prioritization may be implemented based on ISDA’s workload capacity. This program excludes hobby gardens and private lawns. Interested landowners can sign-up online at ISDA’s website or by reaching out to soilsampling@isda.in.gov.
 

Sign-ups begin Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, and ISDA is accepting registrations until Wednesday, April 8, 2026 or until funds are exhausted. 

This program was made possible thanks to ISDA, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance (IANA), Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) members, farmers, and crop advisors.