Ohio Department of Agriculture awarded $1M to expand conservation in Western Lake Erie Basin
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has been awarded a $1 million grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to support a new effort to place conservation agronomists within agricultural retail operations in northwest Ohio.
Conservation agronomists will be employed by agricultural retailers and work with local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff and farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) to implement H2Ohio Best Management Practices (BMPs) that help reduce nutrient runoff. By serving as a critical link between agricultural retailers, producers, and H2Ohio program requirements, the agronomists will provide one-on-one technical assistance, facilitate training events and on-farm demonstrations, and support nutrient planning and BMP adoption.
“This funding allows us to increase our capacity and offer local, trusted advisors who farmers can turn to for assistance in implementing H2Ohio conservation practices,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “By expanding our reach, we’re supporting farmers on the ground, which will help protect Ohio’s water quality for future generations.”
“This grant is a vital step forward in this Administration’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the Great Lakes and enhancing Ohio's water quality,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel. “By empowering local conservation agronomists, we are bridging the gap between scientific best practices and practical, on-the-ground implementation.”
H2Ohio is Governor Mike DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, stop pollution, and improve access to clean drinking water. H2Ohio’s agricultural program, which initially focused solely on farms located in northwest Ohio near Lake Erie, incentivizes farmers to implement science-based, proven best management practices to prevent nutrient runoff and improve water quality.
For more information on the H2Ohio initiative, visit h2.ohio.gov.