2nd Annual WCCD Soil Drive

submitted by Megan DeLeeuw, Executive Director, Washtenaw County Conservation District 

The Washtenaw County Conservation District will be conducting its second annual soil drive. Residents and farmers in Washtenaw County can drop off soil samples to the Washtenaw County Conservation District office, where it will then be sent to the Soil and Plant Diagnostic lab at Michigan State University. The Washtenaw County Conservation District will cover the cost of one soil sample for residents, and up to five soil samples for farmers in the county. Residents and farmers simply need to bring a sample in a zip lock bag and fill out the soil sample intake form upon arrival. Soil samples can be dropped off at the Washtenaw County Conservation District office at 705 N. Zeeb Road, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from Tuesday at 8am on October 11, 2022, through Friday, October 14, 2022, at noon. 

Soil sample reports are a useful tool for residents, landowners, and farmers. The soil reports that will be generated by the Michigan State University lab will indicate nutrient levels of Phosphorus, Potassium, and Magnesium, and provide pH measurements as well. A soil sample is the best indicator for a snapshot of where nutrient levels are at a given point in time for a lawn, garden, pasture, or crop field. The results on a soil sample are the best tool for residents, gardeners, and landowners to make informed decisions on management strategies to meet the needs of their soils to best meet their respective goals. 

Gathering a soil sample is a simple task, and instructions on how to gather samples can be found here, washtenawcd.org/soilsampling. Once soil samples are sent to the lab at Michigan State University, results are typically returned to the grower within two to four weeks. There is no need to register, and all that is required to be brought are two cups of soil in a zip lock bag. 

The soil drop off location is in the lobby of the Washtenaw County Conservation District office building, at 705 N Zeeb Road. Drop off hours are Tuesday, October 11, 2022, from 8am-4:30pm, through Friday, October 14. The last opportunity to drop off soil samples is October 14, at noon. For additional information on this event, general information about the Washtenaw County Conservation District, and more events, please visit our website at www.washtenawcd.org or contact info@washtenawcd.org, 734-302-8715.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.