Thousands of farmers have completed continuing education training on fertilizer application to help reduce nutrient loss. They’ve put in cover crops to enrich the soil, developed nutrient management plans, opened their farms up to research and worked in their communities to identify both challenges and practical solutions to Ohio’s water quality.

These actions are all part of Ohio Farm Bureau’s comprehensive Water Quality Action Plan, started in September 2015. Ohio Farm Bureau has invested $2.3 million of member funds to help farmers improve and protect water quality for all Ohioans. With the help of dozens of partnering organizations, these proactive efforts have drawn national attention and accolades, including American Farm Bureau’s prestigious New Horizon Award, which Ohio received for its county water quality grants program. Ohio’s farmers and partner organizations will continue to work together to find ways to improve the state’s water and demonstrate that Ohio can have both clean water and productive farming.

This water quality report is part of a series of reports Ohio Farm Bureau has produced to show the strides farmers have made in improving and protecting one of the state’s most valuable resources.

For the full 2017 Water Quality Report, click here.

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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