115112 - Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating

Introduction

If you’re involved in agricultural services or exploring government contracting opportunities in farming support operations, understanding NAICS Code 115112 – Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating – is essential. This classification plays a pivotal role in defining businesses engaged in preparing land, planting crops, and cultivating them to ensure healthy growth and weed control. Whether you are a farmer, contractor, or supplier, knowing this code helps you identify services, qualify for contracts, and understand industry standards.

What is NAICS Code 115112?

NAICS Code 115112 covers establishments primarily engaged in soil preparation, planting, and cultivating crops. These activities encompass all the crucial steps of preparing farmland, sowing seeds or transplanting crops, and maintaining field conditions to promote crop health. This includes mechanical operations as well as the use of chemical treatments to control weeds, pests, and diseases.

In simple terms, businesses under this code help turn raw land into productive farmland and maintain the health of crops throughout the growing season.

Sector Overview: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

NAICS 115112 belongs to the broader Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector. This sector covers industries engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals from farms or natural habitats.

Within this sector, 115112 focuses specifically on crop-related activities that take place before and during the growth cycle, ensuring the land and crops are properly managed.

Typical Business Activities under NAICS 115112

• Soil preparation services (plowing, hoeing, seedbed preparing)
• Crop planting services (seeding, transplanting)
• Cultivating services (crop dusting, spraying, pruning, weed and pest control)
• Orchard and vineyard cultivation: bracing, pruning, surgery on trees and vines
• Aerial crop dusting or spraying using specialized aircraft
• Fertilizer application, spreading lime, chemical soil treatments
• Disease and insect control for crops
• Mechanical and chemical thinning of crops
• Detasseling corn and pollinating services

These activities collectively support successful crop cultivation from land prep through growth.

Size Standard for NAICS Code 115112

For government contracting and small business classification, the size standard for NAICS 115112 is $9.5 million dollars in average annual receipts.

This means businesses with annual revenues up to $9.5 million typically qualify as small businesses for federal contracting purposes under this code.

Examples of Businesses under NAICS 115112

• Agricultural contractors offering plowing, seeding, and cultivating services.
• Farms focused solely on planting and maintaining crops rather than harvesting.
• Specialized aerial crop dusting companies.
• Orchard service providers engaged in pruning, spraying, and bracing trees and vines.
• Vineyard maintenance service companies.
• Pest and weed control operators servicing crop fields.

Businesses may vary widely but share the core focus on cultivation and crop care services.

Detailed Activities Covered by NAICS 115112

Activity Category	Description
Aerial crop dusting or spraying	Using specialized aircraft to spray crops with pesticides or nutrients
Bracing of orchard trees and vines	Providing structural support to fruit trees and vines
Chemical treatment of soil for crops	Application of chemicals to enhance soil fertility or control pests
Citrus grove cultivation services	Services specific to cultivating citrus crops
Crop dusting and spraying	Application of chemicals via ground or aerial methods
Cultivation services	General tilling and care for crops during growth
Detasseling corn	Removing tassels to control pollination
Disease and insect control for crops	Protecting crops from pests and diseases using various treatments
Entomological agricultural services	Scientific pest control and monitoring
Fertilizer application for crops	Applying nutrients to soil or crops for growth
Hoeing	Manual or mechanical weed control using hoes
Orchard cultivation services	Includes pruning, planting, spraying, removal of orchard trees
Pest control services, agricultural	Treating crops for pest infestations
Planting, seeding, and transplanting	Laying down seeds or moving seedlings into fields
Plowing	Turning over soil to prepare for planting
Pollination	Assisting or managing crop pollination
Pruning of orchard trees and vines	Cutting back trees to promote healthy fruit production
Seed bed preparation	Conditioning soil for optimal seed germination
Spreading lime for crops	Adjusting soil pH by applying lime
Surgery on trees and vines	Treating damaged or diseased orchard flora
Thinning of crops	Mechanical or chemical removal of excess plants to improve growth
Transplanting services	Relocating plants for optimal growth
Vineyard cultivation services	Specialized care for grape growing operations
Weed control services for crops	Eliminating unwanted plants through mechanical or chemical means

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What types of businesses fall under NAICS 115112?
A: Businesses providing soil preparation, planting, and crop cultivation services, including farm contractors, orchard and vineyard maintenance, aerial crop dusting operations, and pest control services.

Q2: Is harvesting included in NAICS 115112?
A: No, harvesting crops is generally classified under a different NAICS code. 115112 focuses on activities prior to and during crop growth.

Q3: What is the size standard for NAICS 115112?
A: The SBA size standard for small businesses is $9.5 million in average annual receipts.

Q4: Can aerial crop dusting businesses qualify under this NAICS code?
A: Yes, specialized aerial crop dusting or spraying operations fall under 115112.

Q5: How does this NAICS code relate to pest control?
A: Agricultural pest control that is crop-related, including chemical and mechanical weed control, is covered under this code.

Conclusion

NAICS Code 115112 – Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating – is a key classification within the Agriculture sector for businesses that help prepare and maintain crop growth. Understanding this NAICS code is vital for agricultural service providers, contractors, and government contracting professionals looking to identify relevant industries and comply with size standards.

From planting to pest control, this industry encompasses diverse, essential operations that directly impact agricultural productivity and sustainability. If your business performs these core activities, NAICS 115112 is likely the right classification for your operations.

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