Meetings to learn more about H2Ohio have been scheduled in six counties located in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Ohio Farm Bureau is encouraging members to learn more about the H2Ohio application process and the program’s conservation practices by attending these meetings. They will be hosted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the local Soil and Water Conservation District.
About H2Ohio
The H2Ohio farmer incentive program is a voluntary conservation effort available in 24 counties (Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Marion, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Van Wert, Wyandot, Wood, and Williams) encompassing the entire Western Lake Erie Basin. Farmers in those counties are eligible to sign up for seven best management practices and receive incentive payments to offset costs. These practices include:
- Voluntary nutrient management planning.
- Variable-rate fertilization.
- Subsurface nutrient application.
- Manure incorporation.
- Conservation crop rotation.
- Cover crops.
- Drainage water management.
The initiative was created to ensure safe and clean water for all Ohioans following a comprehensive, data-driven approach to improving water quality over the long term. H2Ohio focuses specifically on reducing phosphorus, creating wetlands, addressing failing septic systems and preventing lead contamination.
About the meetings
The meetings also will include information about the OACI Farmer Certification developed by the Ohio Agricultural Conservation Initiative, of which Ohio Farm Bureau is a member.
These free meetings will have important details about how the OACI Farmer Certification program will work with the H2Ohio program to ensure farmers receive funds for their commitment to continuous improvement through the implementation of science-based water quality practices.
Meetings are open to the public and attendees do not need to be a resident of the county meeting that they choose to attend.
H2Ohio funding meeting details
Crawford SWCD with ODA
Feb. 1 – 9 a.m and 6 p.m.
Feb. 17 – 6 p.m.
Bucyrus Public Library, Meeting Room
200 East Mansfield, Bucyrus
For additional information and to RSVP, call 419-562-8280.
Wyandot SWCD with ODA
Feb. 9 – 9 a.m.
Gottfried Nature Center
9783 County Highway 330, Upper Sandusky
For additional information and to RSVP, call 419-294-2312.
Marion SWCD with ODA
Feb. 10 – 9 a.m.
All Occasions Catering
6989 Waldo-Delaware Rd., Waldo
For additional information and to RSVP, call 740-387-1314.
Sandusky SWCD with ODA
Feb. 15 – 6 p.m.
Sandusky County Health Department Conference Room
2000 Countryside Dr., Fremont
For additional information and to RSVP, call 419-334-6324.
Richland SWCD with ODA
Feb. 17 – 6 p.m.
Longview Center, Conference Room
1495 West Longview Ave., Mansfield
For additional information and to RSVP, call 419-747-8686.
Wyandot SWCD with ODA
Feb. 23 – 6 p.m.
Gottfried Nature Center
9783 County Highway 330, Upper Sandusky
For additional information and to RSVP, call 419-294-2312.