Source: NCDA&CS, 10/2/8/21
Peak-season soil testing fees are set to take effect Dec. 1
through March 31, 2022, pending final approval by the N.C. Board of Agriculture
at its Nov. 19 meeting. Submitting soil samples to the N.C. Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services lab before that date will
mean growers and homeowners can avoid the $4 per sample fee. Fall
is the busiest time of the year for the soil testing lab. The peak-season fee
of $4 per sample started in 2013 to encourage early sampling in the fall. The
other times of the year, outside peak-season, soil testing service is free.
Samples with completed soil information forms must be physically
delivered and received by the Agronomic Services Division by 5 p.m. on
Nov. 30, to avoid the peak-season fee. Information forms for all soil samples
must be present for samples to be received. Growers are encouraged to ship
their samples early since unexpected shipping delays can result in peak-season
fees being charged. “Agriculture and agribusiness represent our No. 1 industry at $95.9 billion. Soil sampling is a sound investment by growers as it provides the specific scientific recommendations to optimize crop production and to avoid applying excess and unneeded nutrients, which are costly to growers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “I encourage growers to sample early to avoid the peak-season fee, but if that is not possible, know that these fees are reinvested into the lab to continue to improve efficiency.” Customers
wanting to drop off samples at the Eaddy Building can do so at the loading dock
during normal business hours as the main building is closed to the public.
Samples can be dropped off 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week until 5 p.m. on Nov.
30. During the peak-fee period, sample drop-off times are between 6 a.m.
and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except during state holidays. Access to the
loading dock is not available weekends during the fee period. “The Agronomic Services Division continues to take great precautions to ensure safe, customer friendly service to growers with new signage, clearly marked directions to the loading dock and a protective kiosk to interact with staff,” Troxler said. Growers
needing a supply of sample boxes or shippers are advised to call the Agronomic
Division several hours before arriving so that they can pick up their needed
items without experiencing a delay. Boxes can also be picked up at N.C.
Cooperative Extension offices. Growers
are highly encouraged to submit soil sample information forms online for faster
and more accurate uploading of their information. Fees can be paid with a
credit card using PayPoint, a secure online payment service. Online submission
can be accessed through the PALS homepage at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/PALS/ after
a user account is established. Up-to-date sample turnaround times can be found at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/PALS/.
For more information, contact the Agronomic Services Division at 919-664-1600.
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