Lab Services

Whether you are looking to increase your crop yield, grow healthier flowers, concerned about water source quality, or making sure your livestock are getting the nutrients they need, we can help. Call or stop by the Mitchell County Extension Office to get more information.

Below are some common tests that the Mitchell County Extension Office assists with.

Water Testing

• W1. A basic water sample will test for pH and hardness, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, aluminum, chromium, manganese, copper, cadmium, iron, zinc, sodium, nickel. magnesium, boron, molybdenum, and silica. To have your well water tested, you will need to take 8 ounces of water in a clean jar to the Extension office.  Normal turnaround time is approximately 7 - 10 working business days.
• W2. An expanded water sample test includes a basic water test along with Anions (chloride, fluoride, nitrate-nitrogen, phosphate, and sulfate), soluble salts, and alkalinity. To have your well water tested, you will need to take 16 ounces of water in a clean jar to the Extension office. It will take approximately 7 - 10 working business days.
• W33C. Dept. of Public Health: Private Well Chemical Test includes an expanded water test, total nitrate and nitrite, and lead and arsenic. To have your well tested you will need to take 32 ounces of water in a clean jar to the Extension office. It will take approximately 5 - 7 working business days.
• W33B. A Home Loan Closing water sample tests for Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, and Total Coliform/E-coli. These four are commonly required for home closings. Ask your lending agency for specific details. Normal turnaround time is approximately 5 - 7 business days. This test will require you to go by the Extension office and pick up the specific testing bottles along with detailed instructions and the expedited shipping label, as this test is time sensitive. 
• W35. A Total Coliform/E-coli water sample tests for bacteria in your water. This test will require you to go by the Extension office and pick up the specific testing bottles along with detailed instructions and the expedited shipping label, as this test is time sensitive.  Normal turnaround is approximately 5 - 7 working business days.
• W34C. The Fish Pond General Water Quality water sample test includes the basic water sample test along with alkalinity. To have your pond water tested, you will need to take 16 ounces of water in a clean jar to the Extension office. Normal turnaround is approximately 7 - 10 working business days.

Soil Testing

A routine soil sample will test for pH, lime requirements, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and manganese. The fee for one soil sample is $10.00 which includes shipping. It will take approximately 7-10 working business days for the sample to be processes. 

How To Obtain A Soil Sample

1. Map the Area: Divide the area such that each soil sample represents one plant type or condition. Use a zigzag pattern collecting 8-10 samples. 
2. Sampling Depth: The depth of sampling depends on the type of plants being grown. For lawns, the sample depth should be 4 inches. For gardens, ornamentals, mixed fruit trees, and wildlife plots, the sample depth should be 6 inches. 
3. Sampling Tools: Use clean sampling tools and containers. Never use tools or containers that have been used for fertilizer or lime.
4. Get To Digging: Clear the ground surface of grass thatch or mulch. Use your clean tool to retrieve soil from the needed depth. Be sure to collect from several locations. Combine and mix them in a clean plastic bucket. Place the dried sample in either a UGA soil sample bag or a sandwich sized Ziploc bag.
5. Deliver Your Sample: Bring your sample to our office for shipping. If your sample was transported to our office in a Ziploc bag, it will need to be transferred to a UGA soil sample bag before it can be shipped.