conservation practices

In mid-October, the Ohio Department of Agriculture requested funding to continue the H2Ohio water quality initiative through 2021. The $28 million ask was granted by the State of Ohio Controlling Board.

“This shows a real commitment to improve water quality, even during these tumultuous times,” said Kris Swartz, Wood County farmer and chair of the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative. “There was a lot of time that, from a farmer, retailer and Soil and Water perspective, where we thought we were doing a lot of work for a one-year program. Now, we have certainty for a year two of the program, and I have to believe that this makes year three a foregone conclusion.”

Progress continues

This means the hard work already being done by farmers, crop consultants and Soil and Water technicians in the 14 counties of the Maumee River Watershed will be beneficial for a longer period of time.

When H2Ohio was introduced earlier this year, meeting rooms were full of farmers wanting to learn more about how to get involved, and the current funding will support that enthusiasm.

“Many of the farmers that showed interest in H2Ohio early on may not have had an established relationship with their county Soil and Water office, and they wanted to learn what they could do to improve water quality,” said Janelle Mead, CEO of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. “They followed through after the initial meetings and sat down with Soil and Water staff to find out what practices might be best suited for their farms, filled out applications and started working on nutrient management plans.”

Nutrient Management Plans

Those nutrient management plans are a major part of qualifying for H2Ohio funding and they can involve a lot of detail and time. Swartz said soil tests alone, part of creating an NMP, are helping farmers learn new things about their farms.

“Farmers are taking it upon themselves to look at the information from their soil tests and learning about fertility recommendations,” Swartz said. “They are taking ownership of the results and not just turning them over to their ag retailer. That educational part is a huge aspect of the whole H2Ohio effort.”

Online extra

All 88 counties in Ohio have a Soil and Water Conservation District. Find a local office.

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
Suggested Tags: