Healthier farms for all

Editor's note: H2Ohio is Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio's waters. Local efforts, including one overseen by the Erie Conservation District, are happening in many communities across the state. PERKINS TWP. — H2Ohio was launched in 2019 as a statewide water quality initiative, which helps our farmers be better stewards of the land by managing their nutrients and preventing erosion. It benefits both the farm and our natural resources by incentivizing several conservation best management practices, such as nutrient management planning; sensible application of fertilizer and manure; and planting overwintering covers, like forages, winter wheat and cover crops. In the Firelands area, which encompasses Erie and Huron counties, more than 138,000 acres of farmland have been enrolled in this program. Local farmers interested in improving water quality can sign up now until Aug. 15 to participate in H2Ohio for crop years 2026 and 2027. Participating farmers will work with their local conservation districts to develop a nutrient management plan and select the best management practices that best fit their operations. This sign-up process is available on a first-come, first-served basis in a 10-county area, so interested producers are asked not to wait: • For Erie County-based farms, contact the Erie Conservation District at 419-626-5211 or visit erieconserves.org; Erie County's district will host walk-in sign-ups from 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 along with 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following Thursdays — April 10, 17 and 24 — at its office, 2900 Columbus Ave., Room 131, Sandusky. People can also make an appointment by calling 419-626-5211. • For Huron County-based farms, contact the Huron County Soil and Water Conservation District at 419-668-4113 or visit huronswcd.com. Best management practices Here's an idea of the best management practices available for the H2Ohio cost-share program in Erie and Huron counties to help local farmers: • Voluntary nutrient management plans — Nutrient management plans utilize the tri-state fertilizer recommendation to determine appropriate fertilizer rates for crops, helping to reduce over-applications that could lead to nutrient runoff. • Overwinter cover — This is done to make sure our soil is covered by living plants all winter and helps to soak up leftover nutrients and prevent soil erosion. • Subsurface phosphorus placement — This applies fertilizer below the soil surface and helps to keep the nutrients in the field during storm events. • Manure incorporation and utilization — Properly applied manure at the right time, right place, and the right rate can prevent runoff into our streams.