Things have really taken off here in Breathitt county this week. Our program assistant started Monday and we’ve been out all week (in between the thunderstorms and showers) taking soil samples. Soil samples are the only way to know what’s nutrients are really in the soil. As part of the UK Cooperative Extension System we see people who never soil test but always apply fertilizer. When you ask them why their response is usually “That’s the way I’ve always done it.” To educate them I try to tell them that soil testing is like taking inventory of your pantry. If you want to eat, and most of us LOVE to eat, then you’re gonna have to take inventory of your pantry and find out what you need to purchase to put back in the pantry to sustain you. Soil testing is actually taking the inventory of those valuable nutrients in your soils. If you don’t soil test, you should.