Can Soil Testing Really Help New Mexico's Organic Farming Community?.

New Mexico’s organic farming sector exceeded $11.2 million in sales in 2007 on over 71,600 acres of farmland. The sector has continued to grow but faces challenges to building soil fertility and addressing soil salinity and sodicity. New Mexico’s soil test interpretation approach was developed to assist the traditional and organic farmers. The system has assisted many organic farmers in selecting appropriate amendments, suggesting alternative practices, and identifying problematic soils with either saline or sodium concerns as well as excessive nutrients. While the approach to meeting this clientele’s need is often seen as 20^th century, it does offer an opportunity to teach principles of soil fertility and chemistry to clientele that otherwise may fail without the intervention of one-on-one contact.