Lower Rio Grande Valley soil testing campaign runs through February

The Lower Rio Grande Valley annual soil testing campaign will run through Feb. 28, offered free by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Commercial agricultural farmers of Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties are encouraged to take part in the soil testing campaign to help the environment and their bottom lines, reports AgriLife Today. The annual campaign, which has been conducted since 2001, has been instrumental in reducing excess nutrients in the Arroyo Colorado.

A campaign kickoff event will be held on Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m.-noon at the AgriLife center in Weslaco. Topics include an update on the Arroyo Colorado, past soil testing campaigns and sources for financial and technical assistance.

Willacy and Hidalgo county farmers can pick up and return soil sample bags and forms to their respective counties’ AgriLife Extension offices and also to the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Weslaco. Farmers in Cameron County may pick up and then return sample bags to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency office in San Benito.

After samples are tested, the results will be mailed directed to farmers.