Redding Today

Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) has announced that over $500,000 was awarded to support the ongoing work of Nickels Soil Lab in Arbuckle. The senator advocated for this critical, one-time funding to be included in the 2023-2024 state budget. Nickels Soil Lab is a private, not-for-profit farm with a highly regarded soil testing laboratory that has been serving the agricultural industry since 1946. Scientists from the University of California and USDA use advanced testing techniques at the lab to assist California farmers in food production.

"California is the breadbasket of the world, and we need to ensure that our soils and valleys are fertile to produce healthy and plentiful crops. Too often California is importing food from other nations, and we don’t know what chemicals and pesticides are on the foods we consume. The Legislature can, and should, do more to make sure we are supporting California’s farmers. Nickels Soil Laboratory is an invaluable resource to California’s ag industry," Senator Dahle stated.

Franz Niederholzer, UC Cooperative Extension Colusa County Director, expressed gratitude towards Senator Dahle's efforts: "Senator Dahle was a critical backer of Nickels Soil Lab’s request for state funding. Without his leadership the request would not have moved forward. The lab does not receive regular operating funds from outside sources, and support from Senator Dahle’s office helped Nickels receive the much-needed state funding. The Nickels Trustees are exceedingly grateful to Senator Dahle and his staff for the support."

The Leslie J. Nickels Trust owns the land where Nickels Soil Lab operates, with administration handled by the Colusa County Water District in cooperation with the University of California.

California's 1st Senate District, represented by Senator Dahle, includes all or parts of 11 counties: Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, and Shasta. It also serves deferred areas of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn counties.