Indigenous Farmers Sought for Soil Health Testing in Michigan

By Andi Anderson

Indigenous knowledge teaches that caring for Gimaamaaminaan Aki, or Mother Earth, begins with listening to the soil. Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Inter Tribal Land Grant Extension System invite Indigenous farmers to join a project, Replenishing the Beings, the Soil Beneath our Feet.

The goal is to connect traditional practice with measurable tests so farms can grow food, build fertility, and withstand weather extremes.

Backed by the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Initiative from USDA NIFA, project award number 2023-70417-39233, the team includes Extension educators, community partners, USDA staff, and NRCS tribal liaisons.

Participation is flexible. Farmers may attend educational events and field days, or enroll as farmer partners for soil testing.

Farmer partners can help choose study fields, join annual meetings, and allow soil sampling twice each year. Up to five samples can be collected depending on farm size. Farmers receive a confidential report for every sample, and soils can be returned after testing.

Participants share field operation timing to optimize sampling, provide yield histories and cost of production information, and complete management surveys and a needs assessment. The expected time commitment is about five hours per year. All data are anonymized and kept confidential.

All samples are analyzed in the Soil Health and Ecosystem Ecology Lab. Reports include routine nutrients, pH, soil texture, soil respiration, permanganate oxidizable carbon (active carbon), autoclaved citrate extractable protein (organically bound nitrogen), and enzymatic activity that signals microbial action and nutrient cycling.

Results can guide practical decisions such as selecting cover crops, adjusting fertilizer rates, or improving residue management.

Enrollment is free. The deadline to sign up is September 30, 2025. To begin, complete the enrollment survey. For details or help, contact Monica Jean, MSU Extension field crop educator and PhD student, at atkinmon@msu.edu or 616-443-8782. You can explore newsletters and expert contacts on the MSU Extension website, or call 888 MSUE4MI for assistance.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu-extension