Water Quality Resources
Experts are monitoring the severity of this season’s algal bloom in The Western Lake Erie Basin. As more research is…
Read More
Recently, $3 million in H2Ohio grant funding was directed to nine wetland projects to help improve water quality in the Ohio River Basin.
Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded projects in Athens, Butler, Clark, Delaware, Franklin, Mahoning, Montgomery, Pickaway and Wayne counties to create wetlands, restore wetlands on hydric soils and/or enhance water quality at existing wetlands and floodplains.
This is the second round of H2Ohio grants focused exclusively on the Ohio River Basin. In round one, 10 wetland projects were awarded a total of $4.3 million to address nutrient loading and contribute to water quality improvement in the Ohio River and its tributaries.
“It’s exciting to share the nature-based approach to water quality we have been implementing in the northern part of the state with even more communities,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “It has always been our goal to extend the H2Ohio initiative across the entire state, and we are glad to be able to support these new projects in the Ohio River Basin.”
Wetlands help improve water quality by trapping, filtering and removing excess pollutants and nutrients, like phosphorus, from the water before they flow into waterways and contribute to harmful algal blooms. Right now, there are more than 80 H2Ohio wetland projects underway.
The Ohio River Basin H2Ohio Wetland Grant Program is funded as part of Ohio’s 2022-2023 operating budget.
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
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.
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.
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.
Featured Articles
Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast: Getting the Farm Weather-Ready and a State Policy Update
Learn how to assess your farm’s storm preparedness and get an update from Ohio Farm Bureau’s policy team.
Read More
Op-ed calls out nonsense rhetoric of Toledo-area leaders
An op-ed was submitted to the Toledo Blade by Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp and multiple Ohio agriculture leaders in response to several recent attacks on Ohio agriculture.
Read More
DeWine announces statewide open enrollment for H2Ohio Agricultural Incentive Program
ODA will enroll 500,000 acres into the program during a sign-up period ending Friday, May 31, 2024. Contact local SWCD offices to apply.
Read More
Study shows Ohio’s largest rivers improving in water quality
The comprehensive study found that water quality has improved tremendously over the years, with 86% of the state’s large rivers in good to excellent condition compared to just 18% in the 1980s.
Read More
Ohio Farm Bureau Podcast: An H2Ohio Update
Get an update on the H2Ohio water quality initiative and find out what a cost-benefit analysis says about the funding allocated to farmers taking part in the initiative.
Read More
H2Ohio is worth the investment, study says
The H2Ohio water quality program is reducing the amount of fertilizer entering northwest Ohio waterways and is an efficient use of state funding.
Read More
H2Ohio projects expand into Ohio River Basin
Projects will create wetlands, restore wetlands on hydric soils and/or enhance water quality at existing wetlands and floodplains.
Read More
H2Ohio conservation practices to be assessed through new partnership
ODA, Farm Bureau and the Demo Farms are partnering to assess the agronomic and economic impacts of H2Ohio Best Management Practices.
Read More
Our Ohio Weekly: Ohio NRCS State Conservationist John Wilson
Newly appointed Ohio NRCS Chief John Wilson talks about stepping into his new role and some of the challenges and goals he has for his agency moving forward.
Read More