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Local expert expands knowledge to support sustainable farming and soil health management in Dare County

As a continuing education step towards enhancing sustainable farming practices and soil health management, Dare County Extension’s horticulture agent Jenna Livernois has successfully completed the Cornell University course in advanced soil health. This achievement not only expands her expertise but also connects the county’s agricultural efforts to cutting-edge research from one of the nation’s leading institutions in soil science, noted the Dare Extension announcement of her achievement.

For Dare County, the completion of this course means direct access to the latest soil health research and practical tools. “As a coastal region with a mix of agricultural and horticultural activities, Dare County’s soils face unique challenges, such as salinity, erosion, and seasonal fluctuations in water availability. With this new knowledge, Jenna will be better equipped to assist local farmers, gardeners, and land managers in improving their soil health and boosting productivity,” stated the announcement.

On the state level, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) plays an essential role in supporting agricultural and horticultural practices across the state, including in Dare County. Through its Agronomic Services Division, the department offers a range of valuable resources designed to help local farmers, gardeners and land managers optimize their soil health and improve crop yields. This department offers soil testing, solution testing, nematode assays, plant tissue analysis and soilless media analysis.

Soil testing helps landowners understand the nutrient levels, pH and overall health of their soil. This test is especially important for determining what amendments (such as lime or fertilizer) may be needed to enhance soil quality. This service is offered free of charge during most of the year, from April to November. The rest of the year (Thanksgiving to March 31) is reserved for large scale farming operations. For homeowners seeking soil testing during this time, there is a small fee of $4 per sample. However, it’s important to note that turnaround times for testing during this time can be significantly longer due to the increased demand from commercial growers. Soil sample boxes and submission forms are available at the Extension Office (517 Budleigh Street in Manteo) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or at the Arboretum and Teaching Garden (adjacent to the Baum Senior Center, 300 Mustian St. in Kill Devil Hills) most Wednesday mornings.

For more information on soil health resources or to schedule soil testing, contact the Dare County Extension Office at 252-475-9245 or visit dare.ces.ncsu.edu.

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