Cornell Soil Health Laboratory | Home of the Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health

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Home of the Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH)

The Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health, commonly known as the Cornell Soil Health Test, is designed for farmers, gardeners, agricultural service providers, landscape managers and researchers who want to go beyond simply testing the nutrient levels of their soils. Our lab was the first to offer a commercial soil health test that provides standardized information on important soil biological and physical constraints in addition to standard nutrient analyses.

The CASH assessment is regarded as a key tool for soil health measurement by several national initiatives, including:

We have conducted over 10,000 soil health package analyses since rollout of the CASH assessment in 2006, half for commercial customers. In addition to providing laboratory results for each sample, we have developed a soil health management planning framework included that we include with our analysis report to help you focus soil-improvement management changes where they will be most effective.

Find details of the CASH assessment’s indicators and management strategies for improving soil health in the Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health Training Manual, available free online. We also offer fact sheets about our lab’s specific tests and procedures.

News:

State announces 2024 NYS Community Gardens Soil Testing Program:

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball, in partnership with the Cornell Soil Health Lab, announced free soil testing is available for community gardens through the 2024 New York State Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.

Important information regarding changes to shipping and packaging protocols

Each individual sample needs to be double bagged prior to packaging and shipping. Packing material such as crumpled paper or bubble wrap must be placed in the box with the samples to prevent sample movement and spillage during shipping. For more details on proper packaging and shipping instructions, see our Guide to Prohibited, Domestic Regulated and Quarantine Areas.

There are certain prohibited counties in the U.S. where soil should neither be packaged nor shipped. Soil received from these counties will be destroyed without processing. For a complete list of prohibited counties see our Guide to Prohibited, Domestic Regulated and Quarantine Areas.

Soil painting celebrates World Soil Day

Learn more about how we use soil painting to celebrate soil and increase awareness of soil as a critical natural resource, as important to our quality of life as clean air and water.