CCE Oswego Partners with Dairy-One on Soil-Sample Drop Box

MEXICO, NY – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County has partnered with Dairy-One to provide a soil-sample drop box directly behind its Extension office at 3288 Main Street in Mexico, according to a CCE Oswego release.

Farmers and gardeners can place their completed form and soil samples in a small box or bag and leave them in the Dairy-One Sample Drop Box. Dairy-One will pick up samples twice a week free of charge, eliminating shipping costs. Soil analysis is not free: Dairy-One will invoice growers, so payment is no longer required upfront.

CCE Oswego educators help growers fill out forms, collect soil samples and understand payment requirements. They can also review soil-test results and answer questions. The release said mailing samples to a laboratory had added expense and time for local residents.

Joshua Vrooman, Agriculture Community Educator for Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, worked with Dairy-One to establish the program.

“Dairy-One has drop boxes in other parts of the state, but there was a gap in our county. So, we contacted them about establishing a drop box right at our office.” Vrooman said. “We wanted to reduce the barriers that come with soil testing by saving growers money and time.”

Corey Potter, Facilities and Materials Manager for Dairy-One, said, “When we looked at our state map, we realized there was a practical need in the region.”

Potter and Vrooman worked on the project with Gina Garland, Forage and Soil Lab Director at Dairy-One. Garland said, “Our forage and soil drop off sites are located all over the state. The goal is to make the process easier and more streamlined. We hope this new sample drop box helps local growers.”

For more information about soil testing, contact Joshua Vrooman at [email protected] or 315-963-7286, ext. 200. Dairy-One also offers services beyond soil analysis. For more information, visit https://dairyone.com/ or call 1-800-344-2697.