UAF to close soil and forage testing lab

January 25, 2016

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will close its soils and forage testing lab at the Matanuska Experiment Farm near Palmer.

The Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory is the only comprehensive soils and forage testing laboratory in the state that provides a detailed analysis as a commercial service to the public and to agencies. The lab supported soils research and soil analysis for gardeners, farmers, and a variety of borough, state and federal agencies. Similar services are available through testing labs Outside, which are listed in a UAF Cooperative Extension publication, "Factors to Consider in Selecting a Soil Testing Laboratory."

Vice provost Fred Schlutt, who heads the UAF School of Natural Resources and Extension, said the decision to close the lab was based on the need to cut the budget. An exact date for the closure has not been announced, but it will likely be in February or March. The lab stopped accepting soils samples last week, but will finish analyzing the samples it has received. The lab has one full-time employee.