Resources for Submitting Samples for Identification or Analysis

Compiled by Richard Brzozowski, Food System Program Administrator, richard.brzozowski@maine.edu

Please provide additions, corrections or comments to Michelle Snowden, michelle.snowden@maine.edu

As University of Maine Cooperative Extension field staff and support staff, you ought to be aware of resources in assisting Extension clients (residents, gardeners, farmers, and others). Below is a current summary of both in-house, in state and external help.

Analytical, Diagnostic and Identification Services in Maine

• Air quality: Maine Indoor Air Quality Council website
• Animal necropsy or other animal testing: Cooperative Extension Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Note: veterinarians may submit companion or production animals; the public may submit production animals if they do not have a veterinarian). This site explains the policies, directions for shipping or driving to the lab, and also links to the Production Animal Forms and the Companion Animal Form.
• Aquatic plants (including potentially invasive): How do I determine if a suspicious aquatic plant is an invasive and report it? page (Maine.gov, Maine Department of Environmental Protection website)
• Drinking water: Order Water and Radon Air Test Kits Online page (Maine.gov, Division of Public Health Systems website)
• Forage testing: The University of Maine does not currently test forage. For forage testing, visit the sites listed in the “Analytical Services Outside of Maine” section below.
• Forest insect and disease: Maine Forest Service does insect/disease ID on forest species. Visit the Sending a Sample to the Maine Forest Service Insect and Disease Lab page (Maine.gov, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Maine Forest Service website)
• Greenhouse Media Test Information Sheet (PDF)
• Insect identification: Submitting Insect Specimens page (Cooperative Extension: Insect Pests, Ticks and Plant Diseases website)
• Manure Sample Information Form (PDF)
• Metals, pesticides, synthetic organics, oils, and gas: Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory, Inorganic Analyses page (Maine.gov, Division of Public Health Systems website)
• Milk samples
• About Mold page (Maine Indoor Air Quality Council website): IAQ Testing: Organic Chemicals Note: Testing for mold is not usually necessary as its identification will not eliminate the problem). Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory page (Maine.gov, Department of Public Health Systems website)
• Plant disease samples: Sample Submission Guidelines page (Cooperative Extension: Insect Pests, Ticks and Plant Diseases website)
• Plant identification:
  • Agriculture: Ornamental Horticulture page (Cooperative Extension: Agriculture website)
  • Garden and Yard: Got questions about growing vegetables and fruit in Maine? page (Cooperative Extension: Garden & Yard website)
  • Weed Image Galleries
• Plant tissue tests: ANALYSIS REQUEST for forage, manure, standard soil test, or greenhouse soil test (PDF)
• Radon testing: Order Water and Radon Air Tests Kits Online page (Maine.gov, Division of Public Health Systems
• Soil testing: Analytical Lab and Maine Soil Testing Service website
• Maine Soil Quality Test Package Sample Information Form (PDF)
• Tick identification: Cooperative Extension: Tick Lab website
• Water and wastewater testing: ANALYSIS REQUEST for forage, manure, standard soil test, or greenhouse soil test (PDF) (not drinking water)

Analytical Services Outside of Maine

• Dairy One in Ithaca, NY provides several services related to agriculture [forage testing, feed analysis, tissue testing, pregnancy (cattle, goats & sheep) & disease testing, etc.] Hit “analytical services” on the toolbar. To be prepared, it is suggested that you request free mailing envelopes or other related items.
• For horse forage testing, many are using the lab in NY associated with Dairy One but especially set up for equine feeds (Equi-Analytical Laboratories website).
• Cumberland Valley Analytical Services in Maugansville, MD performs forage, feed, manure, and water testing.
• Nematode analysis: Cornell University

Plant Identification Services Outside of Maine

• Plant Identification: New England Wild Flower Society, 180 Hemenway Rod, Framingham, MA 01701
• Weed Identification Tool: This site is hosted by the University of Wisconsin Extension and has a selection option for all states (including Maine).