The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is offering its annual soil testing campaign through Jan. 31, according to AgriLife Extension personnel.
“We’re encouraging all commercial agricultural producers in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties to take part in this free soil testing campaign to help with nutrient management and to improve water quality,” said Victor Gutierrez, AgriLife Extension assistant for the Texas Water Resources Institute in Weslaco. “This will be the 17th consecutive year we’re offering this service, and it’s been instrumental in reducing nutrient runoff from entering the Arroyo Colorado.”
Agricultural producers can pick up soil sample bags and forms from AgriLife Extension offices in Willacy, Cameron and Hidalgo counties and the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco, according to Brad Cowan, AgriLife Extension agent for agricultural and natural resources in Hidalgo County.
“The samples can then be dropped off at the AgriLife Extension offices for shipping to the laboratory at Texas A&M University in College Station, all at no cost to producers,” he said. “Results will be mailed directly to producers.”
“The soil testing campaign first began in the Valley in 2001 and has been funded by various sources,” Gutierrez said. “Since 2008 the campaign has been funded through the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership with a Clean Water Act grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and administered through the Texas Water Resource Institute.”
Contact information for the AgriLife Extension offices are:
- Cameron County, 1390 W. Expressway 83, San Benito, 956-361-8236, cameron-tx@tamu.edu
- Hidalgo County, 410 N. 13th Ave., Edinburg, 956-383-1026, hidalgo-tx@tamu.edu
- Willacy County, 170 N. 3rd St. Raymondville, , 956-689-2412, willacy-tx@tamu.edu
- District 12 Office, 2401 E. Highway 83, Weslaco, 956-968-5581, d12south@ag.tamu.edu