Soil testing
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
4921 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA 23434
Soil is a farm’s most precious natural resource. Testing the soil is the first step to unlocking its full potential. Research has proven that a soil test should be collected approximately every 3 years to gauge your soil's optimum performance or every year when there are major soil management changes.
Tammy Holler, Nutrient Management Specialist with the Small Farm Outreach Program, will discuss the importance of soil testing to determine the necessary amendments to soil for a successful growing season. She will discuss reading and understanding the test results and what steps are needed in order to improve your soil and for productive yields.
Jake Browder, Conservation Specialist with the Peanut Soil & Water Conservation District, will discuss his soil conservation experiences on this farm and the role of his organization and several S&WCD programs. After learning about the soil food web, soil horizons, and soil characteristics & composition, a hands-on sampling in a predetermined area will take place to show the step-by-step process of obtaining soil for testing 3 fields in preparation to support a vineyard, chestnut, and pecan grove.
For more information, contact Ben Dukes at 804.731.7916 or bdukes@vsu.edu or Garry Banks at 804.760.3615 or gbanks@vsu.edu.
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Small Farm Outreach Program office at smallfarm@vsu.edu or call (804) 524-3292 / TDD (800) 828-1120 during business hours of 8 am. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations five days prior to the event.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.