An Intro Call is designated time to see if we're a good fit to work together. The insight gained from this meeting helps us tailor our communications and serve you better. As a small team, we kindly ask that you reserve this call for serious business inquiries. For other questions or requests, please refer to our FAQs to find the best way to get in touch. If scheduling an Intro Call feels unnecessary or frustrating to you, it’s likely we may not be the best match. We recommend exploring alternative options, such as connecting with a lab technician through soilfoodweb.com.

We're based near Austin, Texas. We receive samples from anywhere in the continental United States.

Rhizos is a small, woman-owned business specializing in biological analyses using shadowing microscopy—one of the most direct & precise methods for evaluating soil biology, typically not offered by larger third-party labs. Our turn around times are competitive (5-business days) and we provide high-touch communication - it's very important to us you understand your lab results. Our goal is to empower every client with the insights gained through a microscope assessment, giving you the confidence to take meaningful action in the field. Please note: Rhizos does not offer chemical analyses.

Unlike traditional labs where you can send samples without prior notice, Rhizos requires scheduled assessments for a few key reasons: The microbiome in a sample can change over time, so we limit the number of samples a lab technician processes weekly to ensure timely analysis. Our lab technicians operate from different locations, making scheduling essential to ensure you know where to send each round of samples. Once onboarded as a client, booking is simple: Submit the number and type of samples (soil, compost, liquid, or other) via the order request form in your client portal. We typically respond the same day to confirm your booking and provide the appropriate shipping address. Please note: Samples sent without prior booking will incur a $10 fee per sample and may not be processed in a timely manner.

Our ability to provide site visits for soil sampling or consulting is very limited and currently available only to clients in the Austin area. Site visits typically range from $250 to $400, depending on scope & location. You can request sampling services via the order request form in the client portal. To get started, book an Intro Call! Regarding sampling, most Rhizos clients collect their own samples be it soil, liquid or solid compost, using our easy-to-follow sampling guides, which are accessible through the client portal.

Absolutely! Below is an example of the Data Report & Discussion Document. Lastly, there is a live google drive link included in the Discussion as an example of the Visual Files included with each sampling round. To Recap, Biological Counts are $120 / sample and include the following: ✔ Nematode Assessment ✔ Protozoa Assessment ✔ Fungi Assessment ✔ Bacteria Assessment ✔ Discussion Document ✔ Microscope Photos / Videos

Clients can expect a report 5 business days from the date their sample(s) are received by the lab.

We offer business-to-business services, our clients include: commercial farmers, commercial compost makers, consultants, cannabis growers, landscape and turf managers, research scientists, agronomists, ecological conservationists, and more!

Yes! Visit our Office Hours page to explore the range of topics we can cover during a consultation. You can also click on the scheduling links to review the intake form and see if it’s the right fit for your needs.

We perform shadowing microscopy using Dr. Elaine's™ Soil Food Web lab protocol to evaluate key organisms in the soil food web: bacteria, actinobacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes.

No, Rhizos only evaluates soil biology. We support taking an interdisciplinary approach towards soil health. i.e. making informed decisions based on soil biology, soil texture, and soil chemistry insights.

No, not at this time. To differentiate saprophytic from mycorrhizal fungi requires staining techniques that Rhizos is not currently equipped to perform. Rhizos specializes in shadowing microscopy and performs Dr. Elaine's™ Soil Food Web protocol, which evaluates the key organism groups that make up the soil food web.

After an intro call, you will receive an invitation to a client portal where you can access sampling guides and submit order request forms. A shipping address will be provided for each order in an order confirmation email.

You won't find our shipping addresses listed on our website. Only clients who have completed an intro call, have been onboarded to the client portal, and placed their first order will be provided a shipping address. If you're an existing client, to book your assessments login to the client portal to submit an order request form. We typically respond the same day with an order confirmation and a shipping address for that order. The shipping address may be different from order to order, so even if you've sent us a sample before, don't assume where to send your samples. Always schedule assessments to receive the correct shipping address. Samples that arrive without a booking will be subject to a fee of $10 per sample and may risk not being processed timely.

Sampling guides are provided in the client portal to all onboarded clients. To become a client, start by booking an intro call!

In most cases we're able to offer 15 - 20% off the listed service price for non-profit (501c3) organizations, just ask!

Thanks for considering me (Andie) to participate in your event! I can't accommodate every request, but would love to hear about your event and what you're looking for, fill out this form to tell me more and I'll be in touch.

Yes! I (Andie) love sharing the soil microbiome with others in creative ways. Tell me more about your project here and I'll be in touch.

Thanks for considering me (Andie) as a guest for your podcast! While I can't accommodate every request, I'd love to learn more about your podcast, fill out this form and I'll be in touch.

Thank you so much for your interest in this work! While I hope to offer opportunities for shadowing or internships in the future, I’m not able to accommodate them at this time. To learn more about what I do, follow me on Instagram @soilissexy and subscribe to my newsletter at soilissexy.substack.com. I also host a free monthly Q&A forum, where your questions about this career path are warmly welcomed!

We learned how to master microscopy through the Certified Lab Technician program at Soil Food Web School and recommend it! If you've already got the basics down and are looking for help with organism identification, we created a Microorganism Digital Library with over 100 images/videos to help train your eye for all the key organism groups. If you’d like to purchase the library for download it is available for $150, to inquire use the contact form with your inquiry. Additionally, we host the occasional in-person microscope workshop. To stay informed on such opportunities, fill out the form listed on the Events page.