By Anna Busch
Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
Agricultural samples, including soil tests, and drinking water tests are still being processed by the Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory; however, they have implemented an emergency contingency plan and are operating at limited capacity. To allow the laboratory staff to devote their efforts to meet critical needs, they request that only high priority samples be submitted at this time. These include agricultural samples associated with food and crop production and drinking water tests.
Resources are still available to get your agricultural samples and drinking water tests to the lab. Soil tests can be mailed to the lab with payment using the
online form. Alternatively, soil and drinking water test kits can be requested directly from the lab (
aaslab@psu.edu; 814-863-0841) and mailed to your address.
Penn State Plant Disease Clinic
Plant disease samples are still being processed at Penn State’s Plant Disease Clinic; however they are operating on limited lab hours. Currently, they are prioritizing samples of life-sustaining crops/plants (e.g. field crops, vegetables, tree fruit, small fruit, etc.).
The clinic is now accepting digital sample submissions and encourages submitting photos before sending samples. For digital sample submission, fill out the
Specimen Information form and e-mail it along with photos to plantclinic@psu.edu. Samples can be mailed with the Specimen Information form to the clinic via US Mail, FedEx, or UPS. Please contact the clinic directly (
plantclinic@psu.edu; 814-865-2204) with tracking information and estimated arrival of samples. For information on how to collect and package plant disease samples, see the clinic’s
instructions for selecting and sending a specimen.