Nick Ward
Raymond C. Ward
Advancing a legacy of innovation and sustainability in agriculture
Ward Laboratories was founded in June 1983 when Ray and Jolene Ward relocated to Kearney, Nebraska, setting up a soil testing laboratory in a three-bay garage. From the very beginning, Dr. Ward’s mission was to help agricultural producers make informed, sustainable decisions by providing accurate analysis and conservative recommendations. This commitment to responsible nutrient management quickly gained producer trust.
By 1989, Ward Laboratories had outgrown its original space and moved into a larger facility. Over the next two decades, the lab expanded its services to include feed, water, manure, and soil health testing. As testing capabilities grew, skilled scientists, consultants, and agronomists have joined the team to ensure producers receive not just data, but the expert guidance to apply it. Dr. Ray Ward became a trusted voice in agriculture, working directly with producers and organizations to promote responsible, science-based farming practices.
“In that time, heeding the advice of experts like Ward, many Nebraska farmers have lowered their nitrogen usage by roughly a third per bushel of corn grown.”
— Matthew Hansen & Yanqi Xu, Flatwater Free Press
In 2014, Dr. Nick Ward stepped into the role of President, continuing and expanding upon the foundation laid by his grandfather. Under his leadership, Ward Laboratories has upheld its mission of delivering accurate, science-backed insights to help producers make sustainable, data-driven decisions. Dr. Nick Ward has expanded soil health testing capabilities and introduced additional feed analysis to support both crop and livestock producers.
Today, Ward Laboratories occupies a nearly 32,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility, processing thousands of samples while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and quality. Though we’ve long outgrown that three-bay garage, our guiding principle remains the same: to provide quality analytical results so producers can make informed decisions with confidence.
Our Mission
To provide accurate and diverse laboratory analysis swiftly and affordably through commitment to advancement and client relationships.
Our Vision
To be the most trusted and proven laboratory resource to guide food producers around the world.
Our History
Dr. Ray Ward’s journey from a young boy to a pioneering agronomist is a testament to resilience and innovation in agriculture. Born during the Great Depression, Ward grew up on a struggling farm in Western, Nebraska. His early experiences with soil erosion and low crop yields ignited a passion for continued improvements in farming practices.
In 1983, Ward founded Ward Laboratories in Kearney, Nebraska, alongside his wife, Jolene. Despite the challenges of launching an agriculture business during the 1980s crisis, their commitment to improving soil health and agricultural practices led to success. Starting in a modest three-bay garage, Ward Laboratories has grown into a 36,000-square-foot facility with 50 full-time employees and a global reputation.
Ward’s work has focused on analyzing soil, water, and plant samples to help farmers optimize their land use. His advocacy for minimal tillage and cover crops has significantly helped to improve crop yields and soil health. Ward’s dedication to education is evident in his tours of the labs and family farm, where he shares his knowledge with future generations.
Even after passing the leadership to his grandson, Dr. Nick Ward, Ray Ward remains active in the business and community. Ward Laboratories stands as a beacon of innovation in agriculture, driven by a mission to help farmers and ranchers feed the world sustainably. Dr. Ray Ward’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and the pursuit of a better future for agriculture.
- Honor Ray and Jolene Ward’s founding principal to provide quality results so clients can make informed decisions
- Create an environment where our people can grow personally and professionally and continue to promote the advancement necessary to stay ahead of the curve
- Aim beyond the cutting edge in the technology, processes, and services we provide to our current and future customers
- Create opportunities for our organization to foster and build new relationships based on trust, integrity and passion, in and around the communities we serve throughout the world
- Strive for excellence in our results and proactively hold ourselves accountable to accept, resolve and eliminate errors
- Ensure that the producer can continue to have the necessary information to confidently make decisions that benefit their businesses, families and communities
- Active involvement in professional organizations to provide support and collaboration, while continually learning from other industry leaders
Our Team
Office Team
Patrick Freeze
Cora Asp
Lab Team
In Remembrance of Jolene Ward
Born December 6, 1940, Jolene co-founded Ward Labs with her husband, Ray, in 1983. In the early years, she was the all-around support staff, receptionist, coffee-brewer, and customer service representative. She officially retired in the mid-’90s but never stopped promoting the business. Jolene poured herself out for her community with a spirit of generous giving and greatly enjoyed travel and history. Perhaps her most rewarding moments were those spent as a mom, grandma, and great-grandmother. She leaves behind a legacy of love and learning, having never met a stranger, and always sharing her good humor. Jolene died peacefully on September 15, 2023. We, at Ward, are forever grateful for her life and legacy.
Our Commitment to You
Ward Laboratories, Inc. is committed to the continued enhancement of analytical result excellence and service through the dynamics of its quality assurance system, the integrity of its people, and the professionals engaged in the agricultural analytical testing we provide.
We have an extensive system for maintaining the highest possible standards for quality control of your samples. Your analytical results are our highest priority and everything we do is managed with that in mind. We employ professionals in the fields of chemistry and biology, and we work with many proficiency programs to ensure the quality of each analytical result.
- NAPT PAP
- Nebraska Licensed Laboratory
- Iowa certified
- MAP certified
- NFTA certified
- Agricultural Laboratory Proficiency (Soil, Water, Plant)
- National Forage Testing Association
- North American Proficiency Testing Program (Soil, Water, Plant)
- Magruder Fertilizer Check Sample Program
- Distillers Grain Technology Council Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program
- Association of American Feed Control Officials
– Animal Feed Scheme
– Mineral Scheme
– Mycotoxin Scheme
- Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Chemical Society
- American Oil Chemists Society
- American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
– Professional Animal Scientist - American Society of Agronomy
- American Soybean Association
- American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops, and Soils (ARCPACS)
– Certified Professional Agronomist
– Certified Professional Soil Scientist
– Certified Crop Advisor - Association of Official Analytical Chemists
- Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association
- Colorado Cattlemen® Association
- Council for Agricultural Science & Technology
- Independent Agricultural Consultants of Colorado
- Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association
- Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce
- Missouri Agribusiness Association
- National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- National Corn Growers Association
- Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association
- Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild
- Nebraska Cattlemen
- Nebraska Chamber of Commerce
- Nebraska Diplomats Inc.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau
- Nebraska Independent Crop Consulting Association
- Nebraska Poultry Industries
- NIRS Forage and Feed Testing Consortium
- Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association
- Practical Farmers of Iowa
- Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association
- Sigma Xi
- Soil and Plant Analysis Council
- Soil and Water Conservation Society of America
- Soil Science Society of America
- South Dakota Agribusiness Association
- South Dakota Cattlemen Association
- South Dakota Independent Crop Consultants Association
- South Dakota Soil Health Coalition
- Texas Ag Industries Association
- Wyoming Livestock Association