soil testing

[monica]

can be pricey. i wrote to the soil expert asking what kind of tests we
need to perform on our soil to grow safe edible food and what we need
to do in order ultimately to create approved organic produce.

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/soiltestinglab/services.asp

[ellen]

Hi,
I recommend this place for soil testing:
http://www.umass.edu/soiltest/list_of_services.htm

They are more comprehensive than Rutgers and less expensive.
However, a drawback at this time of year, is that there might be a
wait.

[Tobias Fox]

Very useful information. I wonder if we could get college students to do this for us as well?

tobias

[Maya Curry]

we could probably get a college student to do it, but if it's outside of the realm of a class assignment there might be an issue w/ them using the facilties. it's worth looking into

[monica]

On Mon, Apr 23, 2012 at 5:55 PM, Stephanie Murphy
<smu...@aesop.rutgers.edu> wrote:

Ms. Sparrow,

I certainly recommend that you start with the basic soil fertility
test and the lead screening.

Lead (Pb) is the only contaminant that we test here at Rutgers Soil
Testing Laboratory, but it is the most likely to be found widespread
in old city sites – primarily from historical use of leaded paint and
leaded gasoline. Also, lead is important because of its potential
neurological damage, especially with children. Lead can be ingested by
accidental transfer from dirty hands after playing or working in the
soil, for example, or by eating crops that have been grown in highly
contaminated soil. See Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet 336
“Lead Contaminated Soil: Minimizing Health Risks” for more background
and instructions for testing.

http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS336



There are of course other possible contaminants; if you have a history
of the site, you may have an indication whether other contaminants are
likely. Certified environmental testing laboratories will have to be
contacted to perform those analyses. For help finding an appropriate
laboratory, see the NJ-DEP, Office of Quality Assurance website:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/oqa/



In case you need more information about producing approved organic
food, here are some suitable websites:

http://www.nofanj.org/ NJ affiliate of Northeast Organic Farming
Association



http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/prog/jerseyorganic.html NJ
Department of Agriculture – organic certification program



Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS683 Organic Certification
of Farms and Farm Products

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS819 Organic Foods: What Do
We Mean?





Stephanie Murphy, Ph.D.

Director, Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory

ASB-II, Cook Campus

57 US Highway 1 (South)

New Brunswick, NJ 08901

(848) 932-9295

FAX (732) 932-9295

www.njaes.rutgers.edu/soiltestinglab

[Alink age]

Greater Newark Conservancy provides soil. The soil they provide has already been tested and is good for growing produce. What those in Hillside have done, after clearing the ground and smoothing it out, they covered it with some type of material, I can easily find out, and then they put mulch over that, then for growing produce they used raised beds, which is what the city has informed us to do because we cannot grow anything into the ground. Even if we brought in our own soil we would have to get it tested and present the test results to Carol Harris at City Hall.

So if someone wants to make soil testing a project of theirs they are more than welcome to do so, but we will not be growing anything into the ground. If we did, it would be a violation of the agreement that I signed.

tobias 

On Sun, Apr 15, 2012 at 8:11 AM, monica <camps...@gmail.com> wrote:

--

“The paradox of education is precisely this: that as one begins to become conscious, one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.” 

—James A. Baldwin

[Chuck Nwosu]

Excellent!

Let me know when we are coordinating for volunteers to get the ground cleared and prepared for the raised beds.  I've got most of the tools necessary.  Just give us the word and we will probably have people getting the lot ready for the raised beds or soil.  That's all for now.

-Chuck
862-234-9981

[ellen]

Hi,
I'm wondering about the compost I have.
Would that have to be tested before it can be used?

I also wonder -
I don't think trees could be grown in raised beds. Because their roots
go so deep and would get into the (possibly) contaminated soil.

This is something that the Newark Conservancy would know.

ell

On Apr 24, 9:07 am, Alink age <alinkage.sch...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Greater Newark Conservancy provides soil. The soil they provide has already
> been tested and is good for growing produce. What those in Hillside have
> done, after clearing the ground and smoothing it out, they covered it with
> some type of material, I can easily find out, and then they put mulch over
> that, then for growing produce they used raised beds, which is what the
> city has informed us to do because we cannot grow anything into the ground.
> Even if we brought in our own soil we would have to get it tested and
> present the test results to Carol Harris at City Hall.
>
> So if someone wants to make soil testing a project of theirs they are more
> than welcome to do so, but we will not be growing anything into the ground.
> If we did, it would be a violation of the agreement that I signed.
>
> tobias
>

[Tobias Fox]

I will consult with the GNC regarding your concerns. Once the paperwork goes through and I receive a copy of the lease agreement and keys that grants us access into the lot I will setup a meeting with Brad Daniels, Community Greening Coordinator, and present to him our plans for the lot. 

Until then, let's continue to assess things and determine what we would like to grow and how we would like to layout this lot. Growing trees will not be a problem. I will be asking someone to help with drawing out a layout at some point. The more organized we are the better chances we have at being successful. :-)

When I spoke with Brad about two weeks ago he stated that we had to move in the following direction:

1. Secure the lot;

2. Get organized;

3. Meet with Brad Daniels at Greater Newark Conservancy;

4. Move into action.

Tobias A. Fox

646-399-0337

"A New World Is Possible"