Soil is the backbone of any farm business, which is why DEFRA has made SAM1 (Soil Assessment and Management Plan) one of the most common SFI actions. On paper, SAM1 looks simple: assess your soil, test organic matter, and create a plan. In practice, it can quickly become an administrative burden with shifting rules, deadlines, and paperwork.
That is where JustFarm comes in. Our platform takes the complexity out of SAM1 and every other SFI action. As we go through the most common questions about SAM1, you will see how JustFarm turns them from a compliance headache into a manageable, streamlined process.
What is SAM1 in SFI?
SAM1 requires you to:
- Carry out a soil assessment.
- Test soil organic matter at least once every five years.
- Produce a soil management plan identifying risks and actions.
Challenges: Many farmers struggle to remember every requirement and keep guidance accessible.
How JustFarm helps:
- The Companion App and desktop dashboard show you the full breakdown of SAM1 requirements anytime.
- You no longer need to hold all the guidance in your head or rely on printed instructions.
- Compliance status is clear at a glance for each field and agreement.
How Do You Create a Soil Management Plan?
Requirements:
- Include soil assessment and test results.
- Record risks such as compaction, erosion, or nutrient run-off.
- Note planned actions to mitigate those risks.
- Update annually to reflect changes on the farm.
Challenges: Farmers often face uncertainty about what to include and how to structure their plan.
How JustFarm helps:
- The platform guides you step by step on what to record, field by field.
- Pre-built templates simplify creating compliant plans.
- You are always inspection-ready without guesswork or stress.
How Often Should Soil Be Tested?
Requirements:
- DEFRA mandates organic matter tests at least once every five years.
- Some farmers choose more frequent tests to get better soil health insights.
Challenges: Remembering test schedules and avoiding missed deadlines can be difficult, especially for multiple fields or holdings.
How JustFarm helps:
- Tracks testing schedules for all fields.
- Sends automatic reminders when tests are due.
- Reduces the risk of non-compliance and ensures timely payments.
What Evidence Do You Need for SAM1?
Requirements:
- Soil test reports.
- Field maps.
- Photos documenting soil condition.
- Notes on management actions.
Challenges: Evidence can be scattered, lost, or disorganized, putting payments at risk.
How JustFarm helps:
- Upload photos, test results, and notes directly in the field.
- Organize evidence by field, scheme, and action.
- Automatically generate audit-ready reports at the touch of a button.
Why SAM1 is Worth Doing — and Why You Need Support
SAM1 provides multiple benefits:
- Improves soil health and fertility.
- Helps optimise inputs and reduce costs.
- Connects with other SFI actions, unlocking future funding opportunities.
Challenges: The main difficulty is not the soil work itself, but managing compliance and meeting DEFRA’s requirements.
How JustFarm helps:
- Centralizes plans, evidence, deadlines, and reporting.
- Eliminates scattered paperwork and last-minute panic.
- Protects payments and ensures ongoing SFI compliance.
Final Word
SAM1 is critical for healthy soils, profitable farming, and successful SFI participation. Without the right support, compliance can become stressful and costly.
JustFarm provides the structure, guidance, and tools to simplify every step:
- Track deadlines and testing schedules.
- Create compliant soil management plans.
- Capture evidence in the field and generate reports instantly.
- Stay audit-ready and protect your payments.
Take control of SAM1 and all your SFI actions with JustFarm. Book a free demo today and see how we make compliance simple, reliable, and stress-free.