Iowa Launches Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project to Aid Farmers

Program aims to help farmers save on fertilizer costs while improving water quality

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:34pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a glass beaker filled with soil samples, a clipboard with handwritten notes, and a few nitrogen-rich plants, conveying the precision and data-driven nature of the nitrogen soil sampling project.A scientific approach to soil sampling aims to help Iowa farmers optimize nitrogen use and reduce costs.Des Moines Today

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) have launched a new three-year Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project. The program will provide free soil testing to farmers in targeted areas upstream from the Des Moines metro to help them better manage nitrogen application and reduce costs while also delivering water quality benefits.

Why it matters

With high fertilizer prices and low commodity prices, farmers are looking for ways to cut input costs. This soil sampling program gives them field-level data to make more informed nitrogen management decisions. It also supports ongoing research into nitrogen dynamics and water quality improvements.

The details

The project will start this spring, enrolling farmers in Boone, Calhoun, Greene, Hamilton and Webster counties. It will expand in the fall to include more fields in the Boone, Des Moines, Middle Cedar and Raccoon River watersheds. Soil sampling and testing will be conducted by SoilView, and farmers will provide field data to support research by Iowa State University.

  • The project launches this spring and will run for three years.
  • The first phase begins this spring in five counties north of Des Moines.
  • The program will expand to more watersheds in the fall.

The players

Mike Naig

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC)

A council that conducts research and provides education on nutrient management to support water quality improvements.

Ben Gleason

Executive Director of INREC.

SoilView

The company that will conduct the soil sampling and laboratory testing for the project.

Iowa State University

The university that will support ongoing nitrogen research and the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative's N-FACT rate recommendations using data from the project.

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What they’re saying

“Farmers are operating in a very challenging economy with low commodity prices and high input costs, including fertilizer prices near record highs. With affordability top of mind, this is the perfect time for farmers to take a closer look at their fertilizer management programs.”

— Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

“Nitrogen decisions involve many variables. This program gives farmers the chance to work off real numbers from their own fields. In a year where every input dollar matters, that kind of precision can make a difference.”

— Ben Gleason, INREC Executive Director

What’s next

Farmers can start enrolling in the Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project now at iowanrec.org/nitrogen-soil-sampling-project.

The takeaway

This soil sampling program provides farmers with valuable field-level data to optimize their nitrogen management, potentially saving them money on fertilizer costs while also delivering water quality benefits. It's a win-win for farmers and the environment.