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| The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and partners throughout the state have worked with the Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) to develop a no-cost program with a focus on increasing the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice to benefit farm operations. The program, titled Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program, is open now for applicants. “Indiana is a leader in soil conservation and that is thanks to programs like this one,” said Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture. “This funding will support our Hoosier farmers and landowners looking to increase soil conservation efforts on their farms, which we know will help them keep their soil fertile and healthy for generations to come.” ISDA promotes the importance of nutrient management and the principles of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. The 4R framework incorporates using the “Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place” to achieve cropping system goals. This program focuses on soil sampling and testing as it is a key component, and first step, of developing a plan for nutrient management. Soil sampling provides an assessment of the soil’s fertility which can be used for making fertilizer application recommendations, assessing available nutrients over time, increase farmer profitability and enhance environmental protection by reducing the risk of nutrient loss. This project was developed to help further Indiana’s State Nutrient Reduction Strategy efforts. “As a farmer myself, I know firsthand how much time, money and effort goes into soil testing on farms,” said ISDA Director Don Lamb. “This program is crucial for Hoosier farmers and landowners to be able to afford soil conservation efforts and nutrient stewardship which are integral on their farms. I am thankful for this funding and for our team and partners who make this soil conservation initiative a success year after year.” This program includes row crop fields, pastures, hay and specialty crops located within Indiana’s portion of the Mississippi River Basin. Eligible landowners will be prioritized by acreage enrolled (i.e., 100 acres or less), fields that have never been soil sampled and fields that haven’t been sampled regularly (i.e., within the last 4 years). Further prioritization may be implemented based on ISDA’s workload capacity. This program excludes hobby gardens and private lawns. Interested landowners can sign-up online at ISDA’s website or by reaching out to Sign-ups begin Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, and ISDA is accepting registrations until Friday, April 4, 2025 or until funds are exhausted. This program was made possible thanks to ISDA, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance (IANA), Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) members, farmers, and crop advisors. |
ABOUT ISDA The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) reports to Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith , Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state. |