Key Takeaways
Accessible Tools: Free, easy-to-use soil color charts help Nebraska producers, landowners and citizens estimate soil organic matter (SOM) directly in the field.
Free Lab Analysis: Participants in the citizen science program receive complimentary laboratory organic matter analysis for their submitted soil samples.
Community Impact: The data you collect helps improve the accuracy and usefulness of these soil color charts for communities across Nebraska.
Soil Organic Matter (SOM): The Cornerstone of Soil Health
Did you know that soil organic matter is the single-most important factor driving soil health? Think of SOM as the "fuel" that powers your soil and ecosystem. Whether you manage a small quarter-acre plot in Omaha or thousands of acres around Holdrege, building and maintaining organic matter is critical for farming success across Nebraska's diverse landscapes.
Higher organic matter translates to better soil structure, increased nutrient exchange, enhanced water storage capacity for your crops, more sequestered carbon, and reduced erosion and runoff.
The Challenge: Measuring SOM
Despite its crucial role in creating productive and resilient soils, obtaining routine SOM data has traditionally been a hurdle for many producers. While laboratory testing offers the most accurate measurements, the process can be costly and time-consuming, frequently limiting how often landowners can practically gather and apply this vital knowledge.
Simple Tools for Farming 2.0
A research team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, consisting of Caro Córdova, statewide soil health specialist, Judy Turk, School of Natural Resources associate professor, and Adda Ireba, graduate student, have been working to make soil health assessments more accessible. The team has developed a user-friendly tool: Regional Soil Color Charts for Estimating Soil Organic Matter.
While the relationship between soil color and SOM has been widely studied, practical applications of this science have historically been limited. This new project bridges that gap, translating extensive research into a simple yet accurate method for citizens to quickly evaluate their soil health right in the field. By joining this initiative, you not only gain a better understanding of your own soil’s health, but your submitted samples also help researchers refine these tools for the future.
Developed for Nebraska's Diverse Soils
Because soils differ across Nebraska, separate soil color charts were developed for four regions in Nebraska: east, south-central, southwest, and the Sandhills. The charts were developed using data from 3,887 representative soils, extracted from the National Cooperative Soil Survey Soil Characterization Database. During initial outreach activities with 122 participants across Nebraska, most participants found the charts informative, easy to use, and indicated that they would likely use them again for future soil assessments.
Why Participate?
Whether you are a farmer, rancher, landowner, educator, or simply curious about your soil, participating in this citizen science program offers several benefits.
Participants will:
- Learn more about the organic matter content of their soils.
- Receive laboratory SOM analysis of the soil samples they submit.
- Compare their field estimate with laboratory results.
- Gain a better understanding of soil health and how SOM influences productivity and sustainability.
- Receive guidance from University of Nebraska–Lincoln soil health and extension specialists if they have questions about their results.
- Contribute valuable information that will help researchers improve the soil color charts for future users across Nebraska.
How the Citizen Science Program Works
Participation is simple.
- Register using the online sign-up form.
- Receive a sampling kit by mail or in person, including instructions, sampling materials, and a prepaid return package.
- Follow instructions to collect soil samples and record your estimates of SOM.
- Return your soil samples along with your recorded SOM estimates using the prepaid shipping materials.
- The research team will analyze the SOM of your samples and share the lab data with you.
The information collected through this project will be used to evaluate and improve the soil color charts, making them more useful and reliable for future users across Nebraska.
Join the Citizen Science Program
If you are interested in learning more about your soil while helping improve soil health tools for Nebraska, we invite you to participate.
Please register online by Friday, Aug. 21.
If you have questions about the project, contact the project team members: Adda Ireba, Caro Córdova, 402-472-6292, and Judy Turk, 402-472-8024.
Disclosure: Microsoft Copilot was used by the authors during the preparation of this article to assist with grammar, wording and language clarity. All content was reviewed, edited and approved by the authors before publication.
