NCDA&CS Agronomic Services laboratory fees increasing
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services Lab will raise some of its testing fees beginning March 2, with most increases ranging from $3 to $5 depending on test.
Soil testing will remain free for North Carolina residents outside the peak season which runs late November or early December through March. In the fall of 2026, the peak-season rate will increase from $4 to $5 per sample.
The new fee schedule can be found at ncagr.gov/agronomic-services-nc-grower-fee-schedule/open.
The fee increases are intended to support program operations and enable the lab to fund a receipt-supported position in the nematode section, said Dr. David Hardy, director of the Agronomic Services Division. The new rates mark the first increases of some lab service fees in 20 years.
“The increased fees will be invested back into the lab operations, upgrading older equipment with newer technology that will be able to more efficiently provide analytics and testing data. The end goal is to increase efficiency to better assist growers and landowners who use these services,” said NC Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “In addition to those investments, the fees are expected to help cover some of the rising costs of laboratory supplies and chemicals.”
The fee increases were approved by the Board of Agriculture following a 30-day public notice period ending in September 2025 and finalized by the Rules Review Commission on Jan. 29.
