| SAE: | Provide a Soil Sampling service for Farms and Lawns |
| Description: | |
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Soil sampling is a fundamental part of growing crops and turf grass. Determining soil fertility levels, through soil sampling, is the first step in planning a lime and fertilization program. As valuable as soil sampling and its analysis is to plant health and money management, some landowners do not take time to "pull" soil samples. As time constraints continue to occur, the service should prove invaluable to farmers and homeowners. This project will help to relay information about possible nutrient deficiencies, excesses, and imbalances to the landowner. Basic equipment for this program includes a reliable means of transportation, a soil tube, clean plastic buckets, and soil sample bags. Sampling equipment can be obtained from agricultural related companies (ie. Ben Meadows, Forestry Suppliers, A.M. Leonard, Agri-Supply, etc…). Soil sample bags are available from the Cooperative Extension office or from a private, for-profit laboratory. Money management is needed for this type of enterprise. In addition to money paid to an individual for labor, some soil samples may require the collection of fees before an analysis can occur. Contact the Cooperative Extension office for a list of the types of soil samples that require fees, and for those that do not require a fee. If a customer desires to have a sample tested at a private laboratory, all samples will require a fee. Contact the private laboratory for their fee schedule. The potential for growth and expansion is present with this project, if a marketing plan is developed. Consider contacting the following: farmers, local fertilizer and lime dealers, homeowners, gardeners, home improvement centers, plant nurseries, and greenhouse operators. Written by Billy Hughes, 2002 |
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| Factors To Consider |
Ranking: 1 = lowest 10 = highest |
| Time required |
7 |
| Investment | 4 |
| Equipment needed | 4 |
| Skills required | 5 |
| Facilities required | 3 |
| Land required | 10 (other's people) |
| Labor Intensity | 5 |
| Potential for income | 8 |
| Transportation required | 10 |
| Expansion possibilities | 9 |
| Expertise needed | 6 |
| Advertising needed | 7 |
| Susceptible to disease | 1 |
| Susceptible to insects | 1 |
| Suitable for residential areas | 10 |
| Other (specify) | |
| Length of production cycle | Year-Round |
| Regional | No |
| When to start project | Fall |
| Notes: |
| This project
can start small and increase in size to meet the expectations of the
student. A soil sampling service is a serious business, which a landowner
gives a student responsibility and trust. Since management decisions
that affect the amount of money spent is based on the final analysis,
proper sample techniques should be used. Remember, the samples collected
are only as good as the sampling method/technique used by the student.
Studying the reference materials is suggested.
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| Sources of Additional Information: |
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Soil Testing, Leaflet Number 99. UGA Cooperative Extension Service. Soil Testing for Home Lawns and Gardens, Leaflet Number 387. UGA Cooperative Extension Service. Soil Science and Management, Current Edition, Edward J. Plaster. Delmar Publishers. Soil Fertility Manual, Current Edition. Potash and Phosphate Institute.
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