Annual/Termination Reports:

[01/23/2024] [10/04/2024]

Report Information

Participants

Hopkins, Bryan -NSSSA – North American Proficiency Testing Program;
Ketterings, Quirine - Cornell University;
White, Charles - Penn State University;
Spargo, John - Penn State University;
Glaze-Corcoran, Sam - University of Massachusetts;
Pena-Yewtukhiw, Eugenia - West Virginia University;
Pettinelli, Dawn - University of Connecticut;
Tao, Haiying - University of Connecticut;
Gan, Huijie - University of Connecticut;
Shober, Amy - University of Delaware;
Gartley, Karen - University of Delaware;
Pokhrel, Sapana - University of Delaware;
Hoskins, Bruce - University of Maine;
Mathur, Renuka - University of New Hampshire;
Murphy, Stephanie - Rutgers University;
Heckman, Joseph - Rutgers University;
Rabinovich, Alon - Rutgers University;

Participants Attachment:

NECC2312 Meeting Notes Oct 5-6 2023.docx

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

NECC2312 Meeting Notes Oct 5-6 2023.docx

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Charlie White, Penn State
John Spargo, Penn State
Quirine Ketterings, Cornell
Sanjay Gami, Cornell
Amy Shober, University of Delaware
Sapana Pokhrel, University of Delaware
Sam Corcoran, UMass
Haiying Tao, UConn
Abigayle Ward, UConn (graduate student)
Dawn Pettinelli, UConn
Bruce Hoskins, UMaine
Joseph Heckman, Rutgers (Oct 3 only)
Alon Rabinovich, Rutgers (Oct 3 only)
Stephanie Murphy, Rutgers
Karen Gartley – University of Delaware
Renuka Mathur, University of New Hampshire (virtual)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Meeting Overview

• Location: Grey Towers (USFS), Milford, PA


• Dates: October 3–4, 2024


• Attendees: Representatives from Rutgers, UConn, UMaine, UMass, Penn State, University of Delaware, WVU, Cornell, UNH, and others (in-person and virtual).

Key Discussions & Updates

Administrative

• 2023 minutes approved.


• Rotation for 2024 chair: Rhode Island, Vermont, or West Virginia.

Joint Soil Testing Meeting (June 2024, Minneapolis)

• First annual NRSP-11 meeting on the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST).


• Sessions on data management, soil test correlation, sulfur, lime/soil carbon, and ManureDB.


• NECC will host the next joint meeting in 2028.

NAPT Update (National Proficiency Testing Program)

• Transition of contracts from Utah State to BYU in Jan 2025.


• Revised Code of Ethics, new PAP certification stamps, ALTA collaboration for certification and training.


• Concerns raised about lack of standardization for soil health methods.

Research & Technical Presentations

• Conversion of MM-P to M3-P in CT soils: Quadratic models performed best, but predictive accuracy drops at high P levels; recommendation to test multivariate/random forest approaches.


• Rock powder amendment research (NJ): Increased pH, some micronutrient changes; potential use for CO₂ capture, liming, and P mitigation, but spreading challenges noted.


• High OM garden bed mixes: USDA-SARE project studying nutrient retention, leaching, and raised bed contamination; wide variability in recommendations among Land-grants.


• Regionalizing labs (NPDN model): Potential for shared protocols through LIMS system.


• Lime studies: Methodological differences (hand vs machine stir) affect pH results.


• CaCl₂ pH: Comparable to water pH in lime recs; discussion of adopting CaCl₂ pH as routine.


• Organic matter, sulfur, and boron: Measurement inconsistencies noted.

State Reports (Highlights)

• CT: ~12,000 samples; new analyzers; Pettinelli retiring Dec 2024; lab moving to renovated space in 2025.


• ME: ~14,000 samples; PFAS research focus; $5M earmarked for facilities; new soil health faculty.


• MA: ~13,000 samples, mostly homeowners; state interest in Healthy Soils Action Plan.


• NH: ~3,000 samples; updating LIMS; projects on biochar, arsenic, FRST lime study.


• NJ: Automation in pH and texture analysis; new soil health fact sheets.


• NY: Discontinued soil kits; research lab closed; ongoing manure/P index work.


• PA: Significant equipment upgrades; strong compost testing demand; research on biochar and N recalibration.


• Other states reported similar activities in cover crops, biochar, and soil health initiatives.

Friday Discussions

• Revisions to Methods Manual.


• Regional P Index considerations.


• Salinity assessment within routine testing.


• Microbial biomass as possible yield/manure management indicator.


• Set 2025 goals.

Future Meetings

• 2025: Hosted by UConn.


• 2026: Hosted by WVU.


• Hybrid option suggested for broader participation.

 

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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