A Look into the New England Soil Health Survey - American Farmland Trust

We’ve detected that you are using an outdated browser.

Please use a new browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge to improve your experience.

We’ve detected that you are using an outdated browser.

Perspectives from the Field: A Look into the New England Soil Survey 

Our New England team worked hard this Spring to collect over 150 soil samples from over 50 farms in New England. This effort seeks to build our understanding of the impacts farmland conservation and conservation planning have on soil health in New England.  

By asking farmers and other landowners to take a brief survey about what motivates their use of soil health management practices and then taking samples on their farms, we can learn about how farmers turn ideas into practice. 

Enjoy these photos from our AFT New England team, taken this Spring in fields across New England! 

AFT ‘Farmily” stepping up to dig in!
AFT New England staff sampled soil on dozens of farms in Spring 2024.
Our team’s dedication to the soil sampling cause, as evidenced (at left) by storing soil samples in our own personal refrigerators. Check out that neat soil core, pictured center.

No-cost soil sampling will begin again this fall, and farmers can reach out at any time to sign up. Email Kevin Antoszewski with any questions!

The New England Soil Health Survey will help us understand the impacts conservation and conservation planning have on soil health in New England. Over the next two years, our goal is to reach 200 farmers and collect soil samples on 600 fields. While sampling for this season has concluded, the survey will remain open throughout the summer, and sampling will be available again in the fall.  

Special thanks to the conservation districts and partner organizations who helped get the word out, including Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire, Coos, Worcester, Caledonia, Cheshire, Franklin, White River, Otter Creek, and CT River Coastal Conservation Districts, and our partners at ARS Food Systems Research Unit, NRCS, Momentum Ag, and UVM Extension! 

Learn More and Sign Up: New England Soil Health Survey – American Farmland Trust. 

Related Posts

About the Author
Maya Rappaport

New England Communications and Outreach Manager

mrappaport@farmland.org

Read Bio