The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is encouraging growers and homeowners to submit soil samples before November 25 to avoid peak-season testing fees. According to the department, the soil testing laboratory has processed over 62,000 samples since July 1.
The annual peak laboratory season will begin on November 26 and continue through March 31, 2026. Samples must arrive at the Agronomic Services Division’s loading dock by 5 p.m. on November 25 or earlier to avoid a $4 per sample fee during this period. The department emphasized that only the arrival time at their facility counts for fee assessment; shipping dates or delivery to local Cooperative Extension Service offices do not apply.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler stated, “The peak season fee has helped us spread the sample processing time out, which benefits our farmers and residents. Before it was initiated in 2013, turnaround time to receive test results was often greater than 12 weeks, and the lab was incredibly busy until mid-April. The fee encouraged early sampling which enabled the lab to do a lot of analysis in the fall, rather than in the winter. Usually, the lab is back to a two-week turnround time by late February.”
Troxler added, “Another important aspect of the fee is that all revenue is invested back into the lab. This plays a critical role in helping the lab operate at high capacity. The lab hires temporary employees with these funds and uses additional revenue to maintain equipment and in some cases, to replace equipment.”
The Soil Testing Lab processes about 300,000 samples each year. To ensure timely processing and accurate results, clients are advised to use official NCDA&CS soil sample boxes available at county Cooperative Extension Centers or directly from Agronomic Services Division offices in Raleigh. Boxes should be filled properly and labeled with complete client information.
A fully completed soil submission form must accompany all samples; required details include client name and address, crop code for plant-specific recommendations, email address, and phone number. A fillable version of this form can be found at https://www.ncagr.gov/Divisions/Agronomic-Services/soil-testing.
It is also important that information on both sample boxes and submission forms matches exactly. Clients are encouraged to keep a copy or photo of their submission forms for records.
Soil sample boxes should be securely packaged in sturdy containers—padded envelopes are discouraged as they may result in damaged samples—and shipped using private carriers like UPS or FedEx when possible for faster delivery directly to Agronomic Services.
Clients may use PALS (www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pals), an online portal for data entry; if used, submissions must be fully completed with printed copies included with shipped samples.
Turnaround times vary throughout the year based on when samples are received at NCDA&CS facilities; current estimates can be checked online at www.ncagr.gov/anornomi/pals.
Questions can be directed to NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division at 919-664-1600.
