Agronomic Soil Testing in Oregon

Being able to test soil can help you save money, conserve energy, optimize crop production and diagnose issues before they become a costly problem.

This online soil testing course has been uniquely created for:

Gardening enthusiasts
Agriculture professionals
Crop advisors
Agronomists
Soil laboratory managers and staff
Farm managers
Consultants who are responsible for making decisions about soil testing

Why Learn Soil Testing

In general, soil samples can help determine what the nutrient status of the soil is and the plant-available nutrients, which can help you reach optimal fertility and growth.

In this online course, you will learn about selecting a soil testing lab and OSU recommended soil tests. By the end of the program, you will know the essentials of:

Soil pH testing, including buffer pH and calcium carbonate testing.
Soil nitrogen testing, including nitrate and ammonium, nitrogen mineralization, and total nitrogen testing.
Soil phosphorus, potassium, sulfate, magnesium, and calcium testing.
Cation exchange capacity and base saturation testing.
Soil zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and boron testing.
Electrical conductivity, soluble cations, and sodium adsorption ratio testing.
Soil organic matter and carbon testing.
Cornell soil health testing.
Other soil health testing.

What You'll Learn in this Soil Test Program

Though the program centers on Oregon, the information is applicable to other states and regions as well.

After completing this agronomic soil testing course, you will be able to:

Take a representative soil sample and select an appropriate soil testing lab.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of soil agronomic soil analyses methods recommended by OSU.
Understand the efficacy of nitrogen mineralization and soil health testing methods offered by soil testing labs.

Meet the Team of Soil and Crop Experts

This program was developed by a team of experts including:

Amber Moore, Associate Professor and Soil Fertility Specialist - Western Oregon
Christy Tanner, Assistant Professor of Practice - Western Oregon
Clare Sullivan, Assistant Professor of Practice - Central Oregon
Dan Sullivan, Professor of Nutrient Management - Western Oregon
Dari Biswanath, Researcher - Southern Oregon
Don Wysocki, Associate Professor and Extension Soil Scientist - Eastern Oregon
Elizabeth Verhoeven, Assistant Professor of Practice - Western Oregon
Gordon Jones, Assistant Professor of Practice - Southern Oregon
Ray Qin, Assistant Professor - Eastern Oregon
Shelby Filley, Professor and Regional Livestock and Forages Specialist – Southern Oregon

Winter
January 13 - February 23, 2025

Asynchronous

Online

$495 (+$60 registration fee)

555

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Additional Information: Continuing Education Credits in Nutrient Management: 6

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Instructors

Amber Moore

Amber Moore conducts applied research and develops nutrient and lime recommendations that improve nutrient use efficiency by large acreage crops grown in Oregon. The crops of primary focus are on grass grown for seed, cereals, and potatoes, with a secondary focus on minor crops (other seed crops, peppermint, forages, vegetables, berries, Christmas trees, etc.). Her research program is focused on developing soil fertility research efforts that are statistically sound and address current soil fertility needs in Oregon large acreage field crops. Research interests include fertilizer response, nitrogen mineralization, acidificaiton caused by nitrogen fertilizers, lime response, plant nutrient uptake, and soil nutrient dynamics.

Past Students' Work

Take a look at some recent projects our students have created.