FREE SOIL TESTING PROGRAM
We are excited to announce the launch of our free soil testing program with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service! Open to farmers, community gardeners, and home gardeners, this program will provide up to $1200 per site for soil testing. We hope to rebuild Chicagoland’s soil to address key issues for urban growers cultivating food in an urban setting. Improving soil health = improving community health! For more information, reach out to soil@auachicago.org.
This pilot soil testing program is designed for farms and market gardens on the South and West side of Chicago (or Cook County) who are primarily led by Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, LGBTQ+, women, veterans, and/or are disabled led/focused. We are doing two rounds of testing: one in the spring and the other in the fall. Please complete this form to be considered for testing. We will be selecting 15 sites for testing in the first cycle. If you are not chosen for the first round, you can choose to be placed on our waiting list for the second round in fall (to be added to the waitlist, you will need to complete the intake form). Soil samples will be taken in mid/late March to early April with the intention to receive your results in late April and/or May (depending on when your samples were submitted).
Through the program you will receive free soil testing with A&L Great Lakes, Logan Labs, and Stat Analysis. As well as result interpretation support from Dr. Akilah Martin and Dr. Israel, two soil scientists doing amazing work in Chicago!
AUA: Soil Testing Program Request
Any questions, reach out to soil@auachicago.org