Cass County, ND Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Cass County, ND. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with North Dakota's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The NDSU Extension - Cass County serves as the primary educational extension center in Cass County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | NDSU Extension - Cass County |
| Physical Address: | 1010 2nd Ave South, Fargo, ND 58103 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (701) 241-5700 |
| Email Contact: | NDSU.Cass.Extension@ndsu.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/county-offices/cass-county |
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 Cass County is NDSU Soil Testing Laboratory.
| Official Testing Lab: | NDSU Soil Testing Laboratory |
| Lab Location: | Waldron Hall 203, 1360 Bolley Dr, Fargo, ND 58102 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $15 per routine sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/academics/research-units/soil-testing-lab |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Cass County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the NDSU Extension - Cass County (1010 2nd Ave South, Fargo, ND 58103).
- 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 NDSU Soil Testing Laboratory.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Cass County Extension Master Gardeners provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Cass County Extension Master Gardeners |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday & Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (701) 241-5700 |
| Program Portal: | https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/master-gardener |
Volunteer Training: 40 hours of NDSU online & hands-on training.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Cass County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 4a / 4b
Natural Soil Profile: Red River Valley Black Mollisols & Clay
Popular Local Crops: Sunflowers, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, brassicas
Extension Specialist Tip: Fargo clay soils retain water; raised garden beds help extend the spring season.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Cass County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Red River Valley Black Mollisols & Clay characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Cass County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Cass County Directory)
The NDSU Extension - Cass County is located at 1010 2nd Ave South, Fargo, ND 58103. You can call their main desk directly at (701) 241-5700 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Cass County garden samples through NDSU Soil Testing Laboratory costs $15 per routine sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Cass County Extension Master Gardeners hotline by calling (701) 241-5700 during plant clinic hours (Monday & Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM).
Cass County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4a / 4b. Local soil is characterized as Red River Valley Black Mollisols & Clay.
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.