New York State Community Gardens Soil Testing Program

The New York State Community Gardens Soil Testing Program is a public initiative administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Established to support the growth, safety, and sustainability of food-producing community gardens, the program offers free soil testing services in collaboration with the Cornell Soil Health Lab. Its key objective is to assist urban and community gardeners across the state in identifying heavy metals and evaluating nutrient composition in their soils, ensuring that the produce grown is both healthy and safe for consumption. The program is conducted in partnership with Cornell University’s Soil Health Lab and is further supported by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York (CCE HNY) team. While the soil tests themselves are provided at no charge, applicants are responsible for the shipping costs incurred to send samples to the lab in Ithaca, NY. Testing will evaluate both heavy metal contamination and agronomic properties, such as nutrient content, pH levels, and organic matter percentage. Gardeners receive test results via email in approximately six to eight weeks, along with technical support to interpret results and apply appropriate best management practices. Funding for the 2024 program totals $40,000 and supports up to 800 soil tests. Each eligible applicant is allowed to receive one soil test annually, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. If a single entity manages multiple gardens or plots, they must submit separate applications for each. This approach ensures broader participation and equitable access to testing resources among community growers. Eligibility is specifically limited to food-producing community gardens located within New York State. Individual growers are welcome to apply, but preference is given to non-municipal gardens without existing access to technical resources. Applicants must demonstrate land access (through deeds, leases, or permits) and garden activity, or provide a workplan if they are establishing a new garden. This includes proof of community support, leadership structure, budgeting, and site designation. Applications are accepted via email starting March 13, 2024, and remain open until all funds are committed. Forms are available through the Department's Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens webpage. Once an application is approved, the Department issues a confirmation code and provides the necessary submission forms and shipping instructions for the Cornell lab. Growers collect and send their samples directly, ensuring both speed and participation ownership in the testing process. Technical support after testing is a core feature of the program. CCE HNY educators work with participants to interpret results and develop site-specific soil management strategies. The Department clarifies that it assumes no liability for actions taken as a result of testing outcomes. Participants also agree to share contact information with Cornell University for coordination and educational outreach purposes, helping to foster a supportive and informed urban agriculture community across the state.