The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is reopening a program that helps farmers improve nutrient management and save money at the same time.
“Knowing what you have is an important place to start. And without knowing what you have, you don’t know what you might need.” Said the Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Don Lamb.
He says the initiative covers the cost of soil sampling for eligible farmers in the Mississippi River Basin, including parts of Indiana.
He continues, “The idea is that you will motivate people to continue to do it on their own. This is not set up to be a long term program. This is for the people who need some motivation to get started. And when they see the results, and like the results, they’ll feel good about doing it themselves.”
By understanding exactly what nutrients their soil needs, farmers can boost profitability while reducing nutrient runoff that can eventually reach the Mississippi River and contribute to water quality issues downstream.
Lamb adds, “The idea is do everything we can to make sure what is put on a field stays on a field.”
State officials say soil sampling is the first step in building a strong nutrient management plan and plays a key role in Indiana’s long-term nutrient reduction goals.
“In this program, putting the right person in touch with that farmer to teach and to motivate is really what’s going to make the difference in the future.” Lamb concludes.
Applications are open now through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture website.
