H2Ohio is worth the investment, study says
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Ohio EPA releases draft TMDL for Maumee watershed
Ohio Farm Bureau has been heavily involved with Ohio EPA throughout the development of this TMDL, providing comments as early drafts were released.
Ohio EPA has released its proposal for a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Maumee River Watershed. The purpose of the TMDL is to formulate a plan for officials to develop and implement programs and policies to improve the quality of water within the designated area. The document recognized the efforts already underway in Ohio, including H2Ohio and conservation programs funded through the farm bill.
“Although Ohio agriculture doesn’t need a TMDL to move the needle on water quality, this proposal acknowledges that the focus being put on nutrient management by Ohio farmers is a major component to reach the goal of a healthier Maumee River,” said Jack Irvin, vice president of public policy with Ohio Farm Bureau. “Equally as important, it points out that the success of this TMDL demands that all sources of pollution do their part to reach the desired targets for clean water.”
Ohio Farm Bureau has been heavily involved with Ohio EPA throughout the development of this TMDL, providing comments as early drafts were released. That work continues as the organization’s public policy department combs through the over 330 page report and will provide additional comments if necessary.
The implementation of the Maumee River Watershed TMDL is still months away, as Ohio EPA finalizes its version of the proposal. It will then be reviewed by the US EPA before being considered for approval.
I'm eternally grateful for the support Ohio Farm Bureau scholarships provided in helping me turn my dreams into reality.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
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.
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