Dane County, WI Extension Office & Soil Testing Directory
Welcome to the official directory resource for Dane County, WI. Connecting local homeowners, urban gardeners, and commercial growers with Wisconsin's land-grant university extension resources, state soil testing lab services, and Master Gardener volunteer clinics.
1. Extension Office Contact Details & Operational Hours
The UW-Madison Division of Extension - Dane County serves as the primary educational extension center in Dane County. Visit or call during standard operational hours for agricultural advice, soil sample kits, and youth 4-H programs.
| Official Office Name: | UW-Madison Division of Extension - Dane County |
| Physical Address: | 5201 Fen Oak Drive, Suite 138, Madison, WI 53718 |
| Direct Phone Desk: | (608) 224-3700 |
| Email Contact: | dane.extension@wisc.edu |
| Office Hours: | Monday – Friday: 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Official Web Portal: | https://dane.extension.wisc.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 Dane County is UW Soil and Forage Lab.
| Official Testing Lab: | UW Soil and Forage Lab |
| Lab Location: | 4702 S. University Ave, Madison, WI 53705 |
| Routine Sample Fee: | $15 routine garden soil sample |
| Expected Turnaround: | 5 to 7 business days |
| Official Lab Website: | https://uwlab.soils.wisc.edu/ |
How to Collect and Submit a Soil Sample in Dane County:
- Pick up a Soil Kit: Pick up official sample boxes and submittal forms at the UW-Madison Division of Extension - Dane County (5201 Fen Oak Drive, Suite 138, Madison, WI 53718).
- 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 UW Soil and Forage Lab.
3. Master Gardener Volunteer Program & Plant Clinic
The Dane County Extension Master Gardeners provides free plant disease diagnostics, lawn care advice, and eco-friendly pest management tips.
| Program Name: | Dane County Extension Master Gardeners |
| Plant Clinic Hours: | Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Note: Plant clinics run seasonally; call office during winter months) |
| Direct Helpline Phone: | (608) 224-3721 |
| Program Portal: | https://dane.extension.wisc.edu/horticulture/master-gardener-program/ |
Volunteer Training: UW-Madison Extension online & practical training.
4. Regional Soil & Growing Snapshot for Dane County
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Zone 5a / 5b
Natural Soil Profile: Glacial Silt Loam (Plano Soil Series)
Popular Local Crops: Sweet corn, cranberries, potatoes, brassicas, turf
Extension Specialist Tip: Wisconsin prairie loam soils are fertile; routine lab testing optimizes organic matter levels.
5. 🧮 Interactive Soil Amendment Calculator for Dane County
Estimate the recommended agricultural limestone or elemental sulfur needed to adjust your garden soil pH based on local Glacial Silt Loam (Plano Soil Series) characteristics.
📚 Recommended Extension Guides & Soil Articles
Learn more about interpreting your Dane County extension soil test report and managing plant nutrients:
Frequently Asked Questions (Dane County Directory)
The UW-Madison Division of Extension - Dane County is located at 5201 Fen Oak Drive, Suite 138, Madison, WI 53718. You can call their main desk directly at (608) 224-3700 during standard business hours (Monday – Friday: 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM).
Standard soil analysis for Dane County garden samples through UW Soil and Forage Lab costs $15 routine garden soil sample. Check with the office for special sample types.
You can reach the Dane County Extension Master Gardeners hotline by calling (608) 224-3721 during plant clinic hours (Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM).
Dane County falls primarily within USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a / 5b. Local soil is characterized as Glacial Silt Loam (Plano Soil Series).
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.