In collaboration with Royal Roads University, the Compost Education Centre provides free soil testing to CRD growers and gatherers. Our soil testing evaluates whether there is heavy metal contamination as well as other indicators of soil health. We share soil testing results with each individual grower or gatherer along with resources to help interpret the results. We also compile the soil testing results in an anonymized and publicly available online map. In previous years, a team of Royal Roads University students went to the growing and gathering sites to collect the soil samples for analysis. This year, we are pivoting to a citizen science approach where applicants are responsible for collecting their own samples. In the long-term, this will make it possible for us to test more soil samples every year.

Soil testing is closed for the year. Please subscribe to our newsletter to learn about future soil testing.