New report gauges impact of farm-level water quality efforts in Ohio
The survey results establish a baseline of adoption for various farming practices in the Sandusky watershed.
Read MoreThe report is a statistical approach implemented to determine what practices are being used by farmers within this watershed to manage water and nutrients.
Last month, the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative released their findings of the 2021 Assessment Survey Report on practices being used by farmers in the Lower Maumee watershed to manage water and nutrients. The survey results establish a baseline of adoption for various farming practices in the Lower Maumee watershed. The information will allow for a more targeted approach to help increase some practices, while also displaying that some practices are already adopted at an adequate level.
What do the results tell us? What are farmers doing right and what could be improved to protect soil and water? On this Our Ohio Weekly, learn about the entire report from Kris Swartz, farmer and chair, Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative; Jordan Hoewischer, eirector of water quality and research, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and Dr. John Fulton, professor and Extension specialist, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
00:00 – Swartz, Fulton and Hoewischer talk about the results of the initial survey and why this assessment report was commissioned and how it will be used going forward.
16:50 – The panelists discuss new nutrient management technologies being used by farmers in northwest Ohio and how H2Ohio will help more farmers adopt new practices.
23:50 – On this edition of “To the Beat of Agriculture,” we continue to feature Ohio Farm Bureau state trustees. This week, hear from the 22nd District representative, including Athens, Gallia, Lawrence and Meigs counties. Karin Bright talks about her unique community and what Joe Burrow did for their food pantry.
32:20 – Jason Berkland, senior associate vice president of risk management at Nationwide, shares how his organization is helping to bring attention to the dangers of grain bins and helping to prevent tragic accidents on the farm with the Nominate your Fire Department contest.
42:20 – In March, Farm Credit Mid-America will distribute $210 million to eligible customers through the Patronage Program, the largest amount ever distributed in its history. Brock Burcham, regional vice president agricultural lending, mentions some of the ways patronage returns benefit customers and Farm Credit Mid-America.
The survey results establish a baseline of adoption for various farming practices in the Sandusky watershed.
Read MoreThe Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual Test Your Well Event was free to Greene County Farm Bureau members.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau 2024 priority issues focus on business climate, regulatory environment, preserving Ohio’s farming heritage, healthy rural communities, and grassroots advocacy.
Read MoreFunding is now available from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Ohio to help Western Lake Erie Basin producers implement conservation practices on their land. Apply by Dec. 8 to be eligible for the first round of funding.
Read MoreAfter decades of decline, how did the community pull together to push Grand Lake St. Marys in the right direction?
Read MoreThe plan establishes a total maximum daily load for phosphorus for the Maumee River Watershed.
Read MoreGary Mescher and other farmers have not only learned, but implemented Nutrient Management Plan practices that now serve as models for how to manage agricultural runoff in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
Read MoreODA and SWCD are hosting a series of informational meetings for farmers to learn about H2Ohio incentives, the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative, best management practices and open enrollment.
Read MoreThe comprehensive study found that water quality has improved tremendously over the years, with 86% of the state’s large rivers in good to excellent condition compared to just 18% in the 1980s.
Read MoreThe TMDL would create a blueprint for officials to develop and implement programs and policies to improve the quality of water within the designated area.
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