The aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to affect western North Carolina, with recovery efforts ongoing. In response, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services Division is offering free agronomic services to growers in 27 counties designated as presidential disaster areas. These services include soil testing, nematode assay analysis, and analysis of plant, waste, solution, and media samples.
Counties eligible for these services are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherfordton Swain Transylvania Watauga Wilkes Yancey. The costs are covered by special state funding until June.
Kaleb Rathbone from Western N.C. ag programs highlighted the importance of these services: “Whether its Fraser firs apples tomatoes sweet corn corn silage grapes pasture or other commodities site and crop specific recommendations are being offered and can help growers optimize yields.”
Growers can expect a two-week turnaround for results after submitting samples in NCDA&CS soil sample boxes with completed forms. Plant tissue testing is also recommended for current crops to ensure optimal growth.
Dr. David Hardy from the Agronomic Services Division emphasized the support available: “Our agronomists have decades of field expertise in crop management in their respective regions… they can help sample interpret reports including management recommendations and troubleshoot other plant growth concerns if needed.”
Additional resources include the Division of Soil and Water Conservation for soil management assistance and the NC Cooperative Extension Service for broader crop production support.
