Hampshire County, MA Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Hampshire County, MA. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Massachusetts's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UMass Extension - Center for Agriculture serves as the primary educational extension center in Hampshire County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UMass Extension - Center for Agriculture |
| Physical Address: | 100 French Hall, 230 Stockbridge Road, Amherst, MA 01003 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (413) 545-4800 |
| Email Contact: | ag@umass.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://ag.umass.edu/ |
2. Official Soil Testing Laboratory & Pricing
Testing your soil is the single most important step before adding fertilizers or agricultural lime. The official testing laboratory serving Hampshire County is UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | Paige Laboratory, 161 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $20 per routine soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://ag.umass.edu/services/soil-plant-nutrient-testing-laboratory |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Hampshire County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UMass Extension - Center for Agriculture (100 French Hall, 230 Stockbridge Road, Amherst, MA 01003).
- Collect Sub-Samples: Use a clean stainless steel trowel to take 10 to 12 soil cores from a 4-to-6-inch depth across your garden or lawn area.
- Air-Dry: Mix sub-samples in a clean plastic bucket and air-dry on clean paper at room temperature (never use an oven).
- Submit Sample: Return your filled soil box to the extension office or mail directly to UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (413) 545-4800 |
| Program Portal: | https://wmmga.org/ |
Volunteer Training: UMass Extension horticulture training program.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Hampshire County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 6a
Natural Soil Profile: Pioneer Valley Silt Loam & Glacial Till
Popular Local Crops: Apples, berries, sweet corn, tobacco, cool-season turf
Extension Specialist Tip: New England acidic soils require regular lime applications based on soil lab recommendations.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Hampshire County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Pioneer Valley Silt Loam & Glacial Till characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Hampshire County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Hampshire County Directory)
The UMass Extension - Center for Agriculture is located at 100 French Hall, 230 Stockbridge Road, Amherst, MA 01003. You can call their main desk directly at (413) 545-4800 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Hampshire County garden samples through UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory costs $20 per routine soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association hotline by calling (413) 545-4800 during plant clinic hours (Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Hampshire County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a. Local soil is characterized as Pioneer Valley Silt Loam & Glacial Till.
Written & Verified by Sahajul
Verified Author & Founder
Sahajul is an independent agricultural data researcher based in India and founder of LocalSoilLab.com. He specializes in compiling, structuring, and verifying US land-grant university extension services, soil lab testing fee schedules, and county Master Gardener contact directories directly from official .edu and USDA NIFA portals.