USDA SHAPE Project Offers Free Soil Testing in Nebraska

By Scout Nelson

Nebraska farmers and landowners can receive free soil health testing through the USDA's Probing Our Country's Soil Health initiative. The program provides detailed soil health assessments valued at about $1,200 per field, along with personalized reports and compensation for participants' time.

The effort supports the development of the Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (SHAPE), a tool designed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to help producers better interpret soil health data. SHAPE will eventually allow users to compare soil test results with similar soils and management systems across the country.

The project is led by USDA ARS soil scientist Kristen Veum in collaboration with the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture, the National Association of Conservation Districts, and Agronomic, Geologic and Environmental Services (AGES). Researchers plan to collect more than 13,000 soil samples from about 6,000 fields nationwide to build a comprehensive soil health database.

Participants receive a detailed soil health report at no cost, compensation for their time, and access to project resources while benefiting from strict data privacy protections. The information collected will help improve the accuracy and usefulness of the SHAPE assessment tool.

Enrollment begins with a virtual meeting during which producers provide field management information. Soil-sampling teams then visit participating farms to collect samples that are analyzed for physical, biological, and nutrient-related soil health indicators.

Eligible fields must be at least 10 acres, and participation is limited by state allocations. Nebraska has space for approximately 150 to 250 fields, making early enrollment important for interested producers.

The program may also benefit producers participating in the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program, as SHAPE testing can help meet certain soil health assessment requirements tied to conservation funding programs.

Led by Kristen Veum and the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the initiative aims to provide valuable soil health insights while building a nationwide dataset to support improved soil management and conservation practices across U.S. agriculture.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-kotenko-a