1.  Why do we sample our soil?  Soil chemistry or biology testing  Identify field variability

2.  How do we take a sample?  Sample fields indiviudally  Choose random locations in each field  Take uniform-sized sample from each location  Remove surface OM and plants  Sample 15-30 cm, depending on soil and field  Mix samples  Composite sample

3.  Where don’t we collect our samples from?  Anomalous/non-representative locations  Around trees  Field edges  Near manure or compost piles  Around standing water

4.  What do we do after samples have been taken?

5.  Where do we send our samples?

6.  Is this a good time to be sampling our soil?

7.  What do we do with the results?

8.  Collection Methods  Random Sampling  Random locations  Easy way to get a representative sample  Grid Sampling  Good for observing variation in landscape  Does not take into consideration topography  Topography Sampling  Addresses variation in field topography or features

9.  Variation in Fields – e.g., OM and pH

10.  Composite Samples  Random and Grid Sampling  Consolidate and mix soil samples in equal parts  Take representative sample of composite for lab  Topography Sampling  Consolidate samples from each specific area  Take representative samples of composite for lab