ARKANSAS SOIL AMENDMENTS PROGRAM

The Arkansas Soil Amendments Program regulates the sale, labeling, and distribution of soil amendment products to ensure they improve soil quality and crop production without posing risk to the environment or consumers.

Governed by the Arkansas Soil Amendments Act of 1977 (A.C.A. § 2-19-401 et seq.), this program ensures proper product registration, accurate labeling, and regular reporting of sales and tonnage.

For questions, email [email protected] or call (501) 219-6339.

REGISTRATION OF SOIL AMENDMENTS

Before any soil amendment product can be sold or distributed in Arkansas, it must be registered with the AR Department of Agriculture’s Quality Control & Compliance (QCC) Section, as part of the Fertilizer Program. Each product requires annual registration and label approval.

Registration and licensing must be renewed by June 30^th of each year.

Registration requirements include:

• Completed registration form
• Product label showing: Net weight, product name, guaranteed analysis (active/inert ingredient percentages), product purpose, directions for use, and registrant’s name and address
• Advertising materials (e.g., brochures or media/marketing promotional materials)
• Registration Fee: $25.00 per product

ARKANSAS SOIL AMENDMENT LAW & RULES

ARKANSAS SOIL AMENDMENT ACT & RULES (A.C.A. § 2-19-401 et seq.)

This law and subsequent rules define and regulate soil amendments, requiring:

• Product registration
• Accurate labeling and ingredient claims
• Monthly tonnage reporting
• Inspection fees and penalties
• Authority to stop sale/use of non-compliant products

Soil amendments are defined as any substance intended to improve the physical, chemical, or other characteristics of the soil or enhance crop production.

SPECIAL CASES & EXEMPTIONS

• Excluded from soil amendment definition: Commercial fertilizers, agricultural liming materials, topsoil, pesticides and herbicides, unmanipulated animal/vegetable manures, & agricultural gypsum.
• Seed Treatments: No registration is required if the fertilizer or soil amendment is used only as a seed treatment and not applied to soil or plants.
• Pesticide Claims: Products making pesticide claims must be registered with the Department’s Pesticide Section before being approved as a soil amendment.
• Dual-Products Note: Products making both fertilizer and soil amendment claims will be registered as fertilizers.  

Please review the entire Act and associated Rules, located at the links above. Ensure you pay close attention to all labeling and registration requirements.

FORMS: PRODUCT REGISTRATION & MONTHLY TONNAGE REPORT FORMS

To register soil amendment products, complete Form 1081 – SOIL AMENDMENT PRODUCT REGISTRATION FORM:

SOIL AMENDMENT PRODUCT REGISTRATION FORM – FORM 1081

To report monthly tonnage, complete Form 1076 – SOIL AMENDMENT TONNAGE REPORT FORM:

SOIL AMENDMENT TONNAGE REPORT FORM – FORM 1076

All manufacturers, importers, and distributors of registered soil amendment products in Arkansas are required to submit monthly reports detailing the total amount of product distributed within the state. These tonnage reports ensure regulatory compliance, consumer confidence, and ensure fair enforcement of quality standards. Each report must include the total tons (or partial tons) sold by county and be accompanied by the required inspection fee of $0.375 per ton. Failure to submit timely or accurate reports may result in daily late penalties, registration revocation, or other enforcement actions by the Department.  

FORM SUBMISSION: Both forms may be submitted via email to [email protected] or via post mail to the Department of Agriculture.

Forms submitted via email: Payments to the program may be made using the online payment portal link below.

Forms submitted via post mail: Mail your check or money order with the associated form to the Department.

PROGRAM FEES / TONNAGE FEES

• Product Registration: $25.00 per soil amendment product (registrations expire June 30 annually)
• Tonnage Fee: $0.375 per ton or partial ton of soil amendment products distributed (reports due monthly throughout year)
• Late Fees: $1.00 per day late fee is assessed for each day a report or inspection fee is overdue

Online Payment Portal Instructions:

1. Complete all fields in the payment portal, ensuring your name matches the name on your submitted application. Make sure no information is left blank.
2. When prompted to search for a product, search for “SOIL.”
3. Select the product line needed: either “SOIL AMENDMENT TONNAGE,” “SOIL AMENDMENT LATE FEE TONNAGE,” or “SOIL AMENDMENT REGISTRATION AND RENEWAL.” 
4. For monthly tonnage payments, calculate your tonnage amount for all materials or products distributed within the state for the month. Set the total quantity to reflect the total tonnages distributed for that quarter.
5. For product registrations, total the number of products you are registering, and set that total as the quantity amount. For example: Five (5) Products Registered multiplied by $25.00 = $125.00 total
6. Scroll to the bottom of the page, click “update,” and verify the Total Amount.
7. Click “Pay” and enter your Card/Billing Information. 
8. Retain the payment confirmation information with your files. You may be asked to provide a Receipt or Confirmation Number.

ENFORCEMENT & PENALTIES

Violations of the Soil Amendments Act, and subsequent Rules may result in:

• Stop sale, use, or removal orders
• Revocation of registration
• Misdemeanor charges
• Penalties and injunctions
• Financial judgements for unpaid fees

DEFICIENT PRODUCTS

All soil amendment products must meet the guaranteed analysis submitted at the time of registration. Products may be classified as:

• Misbranded if the percentage of active ingredients is not consistent with the label or approved form.
• Adulterated if the product’s actual composition falls below its stated value.

If a product is found to be misbranded or adulterated, the Department may:

• Issue a stop-sale or removal order
• Deny or revoke registration
• Enforce penalties for deceptive or fraudulent practices

Products found to be deficient may not be distributed until brought into full compliance with the Soil Amendment Act and subsequent Rules.

LATE OR INNACCURATE QUARTERLY TONNAGE REPORTS

Tonnage reports must be submitted monthly by the 20^th of the following month. Failure to submit accurate reports on time may result in consequences:

• A $1.00 per day late fee is assessed for each day a report or inspection fee is overdue.
• Inaccurate, false, or missing reports may result in the revocation of product registration.
• Unpaid fees and penalties are considered a recoverable debt and may be pursued through legal judgment.

Registrants are required to maintain accurate sales records and report distribution by county. Continued noncompliance may result in removal from the registration list.

SUPPORT / QUESTIONS

Email questions to [email protected] or call (501) 219-6339.