Re: Interpreting Soil Tests

Brian,

The Canadian standards, in all frankness, are better than the US's because their process is more honest and less politically manipulated.  While not perfect, I would accept Canadian national standards for heavy metals, etc, as being a good guideline for community gardeners.

That said, here are some local contacts that may be helpful for you in your knowledge search:

I. First, to keep you from re-inventing the wheel, I'd contact your local Utah State agricultural extension:

Utah Ag Extension

The Salt Lake contact numbers are:

Contact Information:
2001 South State Street #1200
Salt Lake City, UT
84190-2350
801-468-3170

County Website:
www.usuextension.slco.org

Information via Utah Reach
http://utahreach.org/salt%20lake/


II. The director of Utah's Organic Agriculture Program is listed below. I believe specific queries on soil testing and standards are best made to these folks in your area.  If you have never been involved in soil testing, there is a learning curve, and talking to reputable experts is well worth your time. 

Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Organic Food Program Coordinator
Seth Winterton
Box 146500
Salt Lake City UT 84114-6500
Phone: 801-538-7141
Fax: 801-538-7126
Web page: Utah Organic


Best wishes,
Adam Honigman
Volunteer,
Clinton Community Garden





Subj: [cg] Interpreting Soil Tests
Date: 10/20/03 10:09:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: outreach@xmission.com
To: community_garden@mallorn.com
Sent from the Internet



Hello.  My name is Brian Emerson.  I have recently been hired as the
Community Garden Outreach Coordinator for Wasatch Community Gardens in
Salt Lake City.

Each time I've worked with community members as they worked on starting
their own community gardens a question has emerged in my head.  Where
can I find a chart listing the US Agricultural Soil Standards for
contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, etc.), so that I can interpret
the soil test results more easily?

My search has thus far given me the "Canada and Quebec Agricultural Soil
Standards" chart, and a number of publication regarding Lead in soil
from various Extension Offices throughout the states.  However, I have
found no comprehensive chart with normal and/or dangerous levels of
common soil contaminant for the U.S.

The Canadian/Quebec chart is good but I was hoping to find a U.S.
equivalent to aid me in my interpretation of soil test results.   I
realize that the Extension service is available for this task but I'd
like to be able to do it myself.

If anyone has a suggestion on where I might find such a chart/document
I'd find it exceptionally helpful.

Respectfully,

Brian Emerson
Community Garden Outreach Coordinator
Wasatch Community Gardens
345 East 400 South
S.L.C. UT 84111
outreach@wasatchgardens.org
www.wasatchgardens.org
801-359-2658
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