Top 10 Ohio water quality stories
This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the Toledo water crisis. Here is a Top 10 list of water quality stories that shine a light on the progress Ohio’s agriculture community is making.
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At the beginning of 2019, a group of Ohio agricultural organizations, including Farm Bureau, along with conservation and academia groups, met with environmental group leaders to form the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative.
The goal of this unique collaboration is to improve water quality by establishing a baseline understanding of current conservation and nutrient management efforts and build farmer participation in a new certification program.
In the early discussions about this project, a key observation was that there are many farmers currently implementing sound environmental practices on their farms. However, finding a measurable way to quantify how many farmers have already implemented best practices to preserve Ohio’s water quality is necessary.
To that end, OACI has established a two-phase approach to its plan: assessment and certification.
The assessment aspect will begin with confidentially taking inventory of farm practices to establish a baseline of current conservation and nutrient management practice adoption. The pilot survey is slated to be conducted in the Lower Maumee Watershed.
The certification program will be administered by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and will launch in the 14 counties of the Maumee River Watershed (with plans for an eventual statewide program). To be certified, farms must demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in the implementation of conservation and nutrient management practices. The certification program will help late adopters identify and provide to them resources that will help them adopt science-based conservation practices.
Both phases are expected to begin in early 2020.
The H2Ohio program, launched by Gov. Mike DeWine in 2019, will use OACI’s certification program to ensure funds get to farmers who demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement through implementation of best management practices. Those not meeting the minimum criteria for certification will be given tools to create an action plan to become certified and will be eligible for H2Ohio funds to support their work.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Featured Articles
Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast: Assessing Water Quality Efforts in the Sandusky Watershed
OACI rolled out the findings of its 2023 Assessment Survey Report on practices being used by farmers in the Sandusky watershed to manage water and nutrients.
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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.
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H2Ohio meetings for northwest Ohio producers scheduled
ODA 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.
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Over 2,000 farmers participating in program to improve Ohio water quality
Over 2,000 northwest Ohio farmers have become involved in the OACI certification program since its rollout in early 2020.
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Water quality gains flow through soil tests
Farmers in Ohio are increasing soil sampling and managing soil nutrients more closely, leading to a gradual decrease in high soil test phosphorus levels that can lead to water quality problems.
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Water quality and agriculture: The rest of the story
A new film about water quality in Lake Erie skips over all of the advancements being made by farmers in northwest Ohio and beyond.
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Our Ohio Weekly: New report gauges water quality efforts in Ohio
The OACI Assessment survey results establish a baseline of adoption for various farming practices in the Lower Maumee watershed.
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OACI Assessment Survey Report reveals conservation progress, areas of opportunity
The survey results establish a baseline of adoption for various farming practices in the Lower Maumee watershed.
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Enroll now in OACI’s Farmer Certification Program
Farmers participating in the H2Ohio program must be enrolled in the OACI program by March 31, 2021.
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