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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.