UMass Campaign to Improve Soil Testing Lab
PHOTO: UMass Extension
The UMass Extension Soil and Plant
Nutrient Testing Laboratory provides
unbiased and independent testing of agri-
cultural and horticultural soil and tissue
samples. Its recommendations help farm-
ers and green industry professionals to
achieve economic and environmental
goals and maintain regulatory compli-
ance. Each year, the Lab runs more than
30,000 tests on over 17,000 samples for
nearly 5,000 customers.
The Lab is funded solely by customer fees
and gifts and is ineligible for federal fund-
ing. It is in need of financial support to
strengthen and modernize its operations.
Needs include:
● CN analyzer to replace a 17-year-old
instrument, saving on operating costs
and offering new diagnostics, includ-
ing soil health measures.
● ICP spectrometer to replace an aging
workhorse that provides nutrient and
metals analyses but has very high
maintenance and repair costs.
● System upgrades to improve customer
experience and increase efficiency.
M E M B E R
As part of a $200,000 campaign goal,
UMass Extension will commit $45,000 to
these improvements, establishing finan-
cial policies that set aside a portion of lab
fees for future equipment replacement.
They are seeking support from industry
groups, foundations, individuals and
businesses to raise the remainder.
To help, please contact:
Clem Clay
Ext. Agriculture Program Director
413-545-5021
[email protected]
S P O T L I G H T
With more than 700 members across the state, MAA represents the lion’s share of our
industry’s leading commercial and municipal arborists.
One of the greatest benefits of membership is learning from each other
– and while it’s not always easy to make it to a meeting, we can
help you connect via our regular Member Spotlight
newsletter column. So, don’t be shy, tell us about you
and the story behind your company. It’s easy.
Be in
the Spotlight!
Just visit MassArbor.org/Newsletter,
answer the prompts, and send us
a couple of photos. We’ll take
care of the rest and your fellow
MAA members will get to know
you a little bit better!
MAA NEWS / March 2020 11