The laboratory will not shut down but will continue to provide its usual services during the construction, says UA System Vice President for Agriculture Mark Cochran.


“Our soil test analysis has been one of the fundamental services we provide to the state,” he said to a crowd of supporters who gathered for a ceremony in Marianna. “This building that we are replacing and remodeling was constructed in the early 1950s with an annual capacity of 27,000 samples a year, which increased to 40,000 samples following a remodeling in the 1980s.”

“This construction project will enable us to expand our capacity to where we can handle up to 54,000 samples a month on a 14-hour workday shift. It also will enable us to get a more efficient flow to help us with the turnaround time so that the results can be returned to the clients within three weeks after the samples arrive in the laboratory.”

For more than 65 years the program has provided free statewide testing of soil samples submitted through Cooperative Extension Service county offices. The laboratory provides customized reports on soil nutrient levels and recommendations for fertilizer and lime applications for the desired use and location. In 2012, the laboratory tested a record number of soil samples for the sixth consecutive year when it analyzed 211,000 samples.

“With the increase in demand for our services, currently there are months when we have to handle 45,000 samples per month,” said Morteza Mozaffari, laboratory director. “We think that with a new facility we can provide more efficient and faster service for farmers and homeowners.”
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The construction will be conducted in phases to allow the laboratory staff to continue providing soil-testing services during the project. SCM Architects PLLC of Little Rock is the architectural firm for the project and Murdock Enterprises of Marianna is the construction contractor.

When the project is finished in August 2014, there will be 6,540 square feet of new building for a total of 14,820 square feet of new and renovated space, said David Cowan of SCM Architects.

In spring 2014, the new lab area will be finished and the office wing will be renovated while the office staff works in a temporary facility on the premises. Cowan said the entire staff will be back in permanent offices by August. FG

—University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture news release