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 now accepting applications for the Indiana Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program.

The Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program is a no‑cost initiative to expand the use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice. 

“Healthy, nutrient-rich soil is vital to Hoosier farmers and our agricultural industry,” said Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I encourage farmers to have their soil sampled and tested to ensure it has the nutrients needed for a strong, productive yield.”

The program focuses on soil sampling and testing as a key component, and first step, of developing a plan for nutrient management. Soil sampling provides an assessment of the soil’s fertility, which can be helpful in making fertilizer application recommendations, assessing available nutrients over time, increasing farmer profitability and enhancing environmental protection by reducing the risk of nutrient loss. The soil sampling project was developed to help further Indiana’s State Nutrient Reduction Strategy efforts.

"Soil sampling and testing is a very important tool for farmers to use when assessing their soil health,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “By understanding what the soil actually needs, farmers could avoid buying unnecessary fertilizers or amendments, which can help reduce costs over time.” 

Eligible landowners will be prioritized by following criteria.

• Pastures, hay and specialty crops located within Indiana’s portion of the Mississippi River Basin;
• Acreage enrolled (i.e., 50 acres or less); and
• Fields that have never been soil sampled or fields that haven’t been sampled regularly (i.e., within the last three years).

This program excludes hobby gardens and private lawns.

Sign-ups begin Sept. 14, 2026, and ISDA is accepting registrations until Nov. 6, 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.

Interested landowners can sign-up online at ISDA’s website or by reaching out to Nutrient Stewardship Program Manager, Ophelia Norman at soilsampling@isda.in.gov.