The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is urging growers and homeowners to submit soil samples before November 25 to avoid peak-season testing fees. The department’s Agronomic Services Division has already processed over 62,000 samples since July 1.
The annual peak laboratory season begins on November 26 and runs through March 31, 2026. To avoid the $4 per sample fee, soil samples must physically arrive at the Agronomic Services’ loading dock by Tuesday, November 25, no later than 5 p.m. The department notes that shipping date, delivery to a local Cooperative Extension Service office, or postmarking are not considered when determining if the fee applies.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler explained the rationale behind the fee: “The peak season fee has helped us spread the sample processing time out, which benefits our farmers and residents. Before it was initiated in 2013, turnaround time to receive test results was often greater than 12 weeks, and the lab was incredibly busy until mid-April. The fee encouraged early sampling which enabled the lab to do a lot of analysis in the fall, rather than in the winter. Usually, the lab is back to a two-week turnround time by late February.”
Troxler also noted how revenue from these fees supports laboratory operations: “Another important aspect of the fee is that all revenue is invested back into the lab. This plays a critical role in helping the lab operate at high capacity. The lab hires temporary employees with these funds and uses additional revenue to maintain equipment and in some cases, to replace equipment.”
To ensure timely results without delays due to incomplete submissions, NCDA&CS provided several guidelines for submitting soil samples:
– Use only NCDA&CS soil sample boxes available at local county Cooperative Extension Centers or at their Raleigh location.
– Complete all required information on both the box and submission form; details must match exactly.
– Include a crop code for plant-specific recommendations.
– Package boxes securely in sturdy containers; private carriers like UPS or FedEx are recommended for direct delivery.
– Consider using their online portal PALS (www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pals) for data entry and tracking turnaround times.
The Soil Testing Lab processes about 300,000 samples each year. Following submission guidelines helps ensure efficient service for customers.
For more information or questions about soil sample submissions, clients can contact the Agronomic Services Division at 919-664-1600.
