Soil & Sample Testing
Plant Sample Testing
University of Rhode Island (URI)
The URI Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (PDL) is part of and accredited by the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) and the Northeast Plant Diagnostic Network (NEPDN) and is a fee-based service of URI Cooperative Extension. The laboratory diagnoses and provides recommendations for plant diseases, insects, weeds, and abiotic problems.
NOFA RI business members get 1 free plant sample testing at URI’s Plant Diagnostic Laboratory each year! Visit https://www.nofari.org/membership for more information.
Soil Testing
Buxton Hollow Farm Natural Products (Woonsocket)
Buxton Hollow Farm Natural Products provides services and products that work with nature to rebuild your soil. Their minerals, amendments, and custom products replace what human activity, like synthetic fertilizer use, has depleted or killed in the soil.
Logan Labs is a trusted soil testing service based in Lakeview, OH. Services include Standard Soil, Standard Water, Saturated Paste, Tissue, and Physical tests. Samples for routine analysis are usually completed in 3 to 4 days from receipt, with reports delivered by email.
As of 2026, UMass Amherst’s Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory offers includes testing including routine soil fertility, soil organic matter nitrate, soluble salts, particle size analysis, saturated media, and total sorbed metals, as well as soil total carbon, organic carbon, and inorganic carbon analysis. Samples for routine analysis are usually completed in 6 to 10 business days.
University of Rhode Island (URI)
URI offers free soil testing for residential, school, and community gardens. URI Master Gardeners Program volunteers will conduct soil-testing and provide recommendations for Rhode Islanders and surrounding area residents until November.
Water Testing
RI DEM Division of Agriculture - Free Water Testing for Farms
The RI Produce Safety Program offers free agricultural water testing to farms interested in learning more about their water quality. Program staff will assist in sample collection, drop off the samples for analysis and deliver the results, providing technical assistance along the way. Testing is offered from June-October each year, by appointment
RI Department of Health Certified Drinking Water Testing Labs
These labs, certified by the RIDOH to test drinking water, provide analytical services for a fee to individuals and public water systems in need of testing.
URI Home *A* Syst - Private Well Testing and Protection
The URI Home*A*Syst Program is an educational, technical resource to Rhode Island residents. that works to provide residents with the skills and resources needed to protect their drinking water quality, the quality of the State’s water resources, and to take action to protect their health and the environment.
