I just took a bunch of soil samples from my plots. We had some great weather for the entire winter so far here in Upstate NY. here is the site where I am sending my samples.
http://www.mossyoakbiologic.com/pdf/soilsample.pdf
It also gives pretty good instructions on how to take the samples. I was able to get out and brush hog some hedgerows this past weekend. I was starting to get a lot of encroachment into my plots from buck thorn and sumac, as well as some smaller maples. this was cutting out some daylight, so i 'hogged them back. I also staked and caggd the apple trees I planted last year, as well as maked them with ample surveyors tape to locate them if the brush should get thick this summer. I can't wait to seewhat the soil samples tell me. I want to lime with snow on the ground this winter to give the lime time to get into the soil.