Soil Health Testing: CEMA 216 Training
Friday, August 14, 2026
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Central Lakes College, Staples
Lunch will be provided.
Co-op agronomists, Certified Crop Advisers, independent crop consultants, and other agricultural professionals are invited to a practical, hands-on training focused on the CEMA 216 Soil Health Testing process.
Anna Cates with the Minnesota Office for Soil Health and Stephanie McLain with the Natural Resources Conservation Service will explain how to properly collect and store soil samples, select eligible tests, complete submission and certification requirements, and help farmers understand their results.
The training will also include field demonstrations at the Central Lakes College Staples Farm. Participants will explore corn-row spacing, early-season interseeded cover crops, and strip-cropping systems while learning how soil health testing can strengthen agronomic recommendations and conversations with customers.
What You’ll Learn
- Proper collection and storage of soil samples for biological testing
- Tests eligible for funding through NRCS CEMA 216
- Sampling, submission, documentation, and certification requirements
- How to interpret and explain soil health test results to farmers
- Ways to incorporate testing into agronomic recommendations
- The role of soil testing in the Regenerative Pilot Program
What to Bring
Participants should bring field-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and a water bottle.
Registration
Advance registration is requested. Lunch will be provided.
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