Soils

Identifying and implementing crop management practices that improve and maintain soil health is a key concern for farmers in Northern New York. Key aspects of soil health include drainage, water holding capacity, compaction, soil loss by erosion, sufficient but not excess plant nutrients, and low populations soil insect and disease pests.

Through the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, a team of 20-some NNY farmers have worked with Cornell University researchers and Cornell Cooperative Extension educators to develop methods for assessing the quality of local soils and to develop practical and sustainable soil management practice protocols that will enhance crop yield and farm profitability while supporting good environmental stewardship.

Click on the links below to learn more about NNYADP soil health projects and other resources related to soil health.

Articles
- Soil Health Assessment and Management: Measurements and Results
- Soil Health Assessment and Management: The Concepts
- How to Interpret and Use the Cornell Soil Health Test (CSHT) Report (What’s Cropping Up? Jan-Feb 2008 Issue)

Fact Sheet
- Lime Recommendations for Field Crops
- Liming Materials
- NNY Soil Health Research
- Soil pH for Field Crop
- Soil Texture (#29)

Press Releases
- Measuring Soil Health on NNY Farms
- Researchers Studying Soil Health in NNY

Research Reports
- 2007-2008 Promoting Soil Health Management
- 2007- Expanding Soil Health Assessment in NNY: Dairy Farms and Biofuel Production
- 2006 Soil Health and Conservation Agriculture in Northern New York
- 2004 Soil Health and Conservation Agriculture in NNY

Soil Surveys
- Clinton County Soil Sample Survey (2002-2006)
- Essex County Soil Sample Survey (2002-2006)
- Franklin County Soil Sample Survey (2002-2006)
- Jefferson County Soil Sample Survey (2002-2006)
- Lewis County Soil Sample Survey (2002-2006)
- St. Lawrence County Soil Sample Survey (2002-2006)

Additional Resources
Click Here for links to the following resource websites:
- Cornell Soil Heath Program
- What’s Cropping Up? Newsletter for New York Field Crops & Soils