Analyzing soil has multiple benefits for the farmer and home gardener and makes them more productive. It helps the producer know the exact amendments needed,  and what kind of nutrients the soil needs to make their plants more efficient. This, for example, can make the vegetable grower more profit or the home garden more productive for preserving their fresh harvest.

The Rockcastle County Extension service and Rockcastle County Conservation District collaborate to offer free soil testing for the citizens of Rockcastle County.  Funding is obtained through the Division of Conservation’s Environmental Grant program to pay for the soil tests conducted through the Cooperative Extension Service.  Soil tests analyze the soil for all aspects of farming, gardening, and home lawn.  This program is directed at minimizing chemical fertilizer runoff, creating environmental hazards, and maximizing profits for farmers by lessening input costs.  

In the first 6 months of 2019, 110 soil tests for 43 individuals were paid for through this partnership program.  These soil samples include tobacco, hay, pasture, corn, soybeans, home gardens, and home lawns.  Nine samples were used to determine the amount of fertilizer lost on hay, pasture and corn crops after a flood that hit Northern Rockcastle County in early June.   All participants involved reported wanting to lessen environmental impacts and increase management of costs for production of agriculture commodities.