Producers more AWARE County agricultural ecology chairpeople worked with state staff throughout 2002 to perfect a sampling program that would provide accurate, useful information about ground water near their farms. Ohio Farm Bureau’s Agricultural Watershed Awareness and Resource Evaluation (AWARE) program took some baby steps during the summer and fall of 2001, but it hit full stride this year, and participants worked to keep the momentum going. When it comes to regulations for farm run-off, there’s one thing that producers can be sure of – there are going to be more of them. One way to make sure any new laws use accurate information is to start gathering it now before any new laws get on the books. That’s what AWARE is all about. "One of the best ways we can influence any potential laws on agricultural run-off and its impact on watersheds is to have data already collected," according to Larry Antosch, OFBF director of environmental research. County agricultural ecology coordinators and other volunteers had an opportunity this past summer to do some actual water quality monitoring in streams and waterways near their own farms. The continual collection of information will create a usable and reliable database so the quality of waterways can be monitored. For more information about possible future training sessions, contact your county Farm Bureau or call Larry Antosch at 614-246-8264.
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