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OFBF commits $1 million to water quality

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) has announced a $1 million commitment to address water quality, with special emphasis on the Western Lake Erie Basin.

The action plan includes two aggressive goals: Farm Bureau will help all qualifying farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin obtain required fertilizer certification by Earth Day 2015. The second goal, to help farmers in the watershed create nutrient management plans by Earth Day 2016.

Another significant move, Ohio Farm Bureau will hire a second staff member to specialize in water quality and nutrient management.

Other Farm Bureau action steps announced in the plan include:

  • Partnering with USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service and various state agencies to establish a network of demonstration farms, which will assist in farmer training and show the public how viable farming and resource protection go hand in hand;
  • Working to gain additional funding for on-farm research projects and dissemination of the research results;
  • Securing funding for farm conservation programs;
  • Seeking resources for septic and rural water infrastructure improvements;
  • Partnering to promote public drinking water system improvements;
  • Supporting county Farm Bureau activities centered on local water issues.

“Preserving Ohio’s water quality is a serious issue and these are serious responses,” said Ohio Farm Bureau Executive Vice President John C. (Jack) Fisher. “There are few quick fixes, no inexpensive answers. But we have to start now. We have to find solutions that protect our water, preserve our ability to grow food and help our state’s businesses and communities. Farmers are willing to do their fair share and Farm Bureau is committed to that effort.”

Farm Bureau’s commitment is an unprecedented private-sector investment in improving the state’s water.

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