The Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES) Analytical Laboratory and Maine Soil Testing Service analyzes soil, plant tissue, compost, manure, irrigation water, wood ash, fertilizers, organic residuals and other materials for nutrient content, organic matter, lead and other trace elements. We provide analytical services at reasonable prices to the public and to researchers.
Winter 2025-2026
For the next several months our lab will be undergoing extensive renovations. We are moving much of our sample processing and analytical equipment to temporary quarters. When renovations are complete later this year, we will move again into our new lab spaces. We are attempting to maintain normal operations in our temporary quarters. Moving and recalibrating analytical equipment takes time, so there may be brief intervals during these relocations with delayed reporting of test results. This should not occur during seasons of greatest sample load (spring and fall), so disruptions in service will hopefully be minor. We thank you in advance for your patience.
If you are sampling for a High Tunnel Test over the winter or early spring, be sure to sample the entire soil profile from the surface down to 6 or 8 inches to get an overall average for the entire depth. Nutrient salts tend to accumulate in the surface 2 inches of tunnel soils, even during the winter.
We offer an extensive Soil Health/Soil Quality test package, in compliance with NRCS requirements. We also offer an abbreviated evaluation of soil health with our Soil Biology test, which is an add-on to any routine fertility test.
Our lab also provides testing services for Soil Metals Screening, Irrigation water quality, Compost, Manure, and Plant foliar nutrient analysis.
We have a convenient online Credit Card Payment option for invoices only. Please note: This is NOT a pre-payment option prior to submitting samples. Please wait for an invoice for any unpaid balance before paying online.
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The laboratory is located in Deering Hall on the University of Maine campus. (driving directions). Samples may be mailed to us or dropped off at room 25. We are available Monday through Friday between 8 and 5.
Your data is confidential as described in the Laboratory’s Privacy and Delineation of Responsibility Policy. We use standardized methodology and, as part of our data Quality Assurance program, we participate in the North American Proficiency Testing (NAPT) program.