Community Gardens Soil Testing Program
Mallory Hohl, Urban Gardens Specialist
Harvest New York
Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.
The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be provided by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York team.
A soil test will be made available to eligible applicants in order of receipt of complete application, until funding is exhausted. Shipping costs associated with sending soil samples to the Cornell Soil Health Lab will also be covered under this funding. The Harvest NY team can work with the grower for this part of the process. Please contact the Harvest NY specialist in your area for more information. (See Application for contact emails.)
For program details, download the Community Gardens Soil Testing Program 2025 Program Rules and the Application below. Questions regarding this program should be submitted to Mallory Hohl, mdh286@cornell.edu
Community Gardens Soil Testing Program 2025 Program Rules (pdf; 164KB)
Community Gardens Soil Testing Program 2025 Application (pdf; 107KB)
Upcoming Events
EVENT CANCELLED: Soil Health 101 for Community Gardens -- A Bilingual Workshop
October 24, 2025
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Staten Island, NY
EVENT CANCELLED: Join Urban Agriculture Specialists, Karen Guzman and Yolanda Gonzalez, as they discuss the importance of soil health and testing your soil as you prepare for the incoming growing season. They will go into strategies for best practices when it comes to soil health management and highlight the current soil testing program through NYSDAM and CCE. This workshop will be in both Spanish and English.Biochar 101 for Community Gardens (Upper Manhattan)
October 25, 2025
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Upper Manhattan, NY
Join Karen Guzman and Dr. Rebecca Nelson of Cornell University, Bill Hilgendorf of White Feather Farm, and the NYRP Urban Ag team for a deep dive into biochar as a tool for waste management, carbon storage, and soil health in a community garden context. During this hands-on workshop, participants will have the chance to make biochar using garden waste and learn about best practices when applying it to a garden bed. Workshop attendees will all receive a small amount of biochar to take back to their garden.Space is limited. Pre-registration required.
Biochar 101 for Community Gardens (Bronx)
October 26, 2025
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Bronx, NY
Join Karen Guzman and Dr. Rebecca Nelson of Cornell University, alongside the NYRP Urban Ag team for a deep dive into biochar as a tool for waste management, carbon storage, and soil health in a community garden context. During this hands-on workshop, participants will have the chance to make biochar using garden waste and learn about best practices when applying it to a garden bed. Workshop attendees will all receive a small amount of biochar to take back to their garden.Space is limited! Pre-registration is required.
