ODPA Supports Governor DeWine's H2Ohio Plan

Governor Mike DeWine outlined his framework for the use of H2Ohio funds to improve Ohio’s water quality. The Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI), of which our organization is a member, will serve as an integral partner in this initiative. This is, in large part, recognition of our commitment to lead in developing and deploying solutions that result in meaningful water quality improvements.

We all agree that Ohio’s water is one of our greatest treasures and assets, and that it is our collective responsibility to protect it. That is why OACI was created. This innovative, collaborative effort of the agricultural, conservation, environmental and research communities is working to improve water quality by establishing a baseline understanding of current conservation and nutrient management efforts while building farmer participation in a new voluntary certification program.

We are proud that OACI will work with the H2Ohio program - which will ensure funds  are distributed to farmers who demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement through implementation of science-based practices that contribute toward healthier waterways.

Equally, we are proud to partner with trusted experts such as The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, and the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University, and we thank them for their support. We look forward to working with additional academic and scientific partners in the future.

As this partnership progresses, we will continue to communicate with you about accessing H2Ohio funds, and how OACI will measure improvements in on-farm water quality efforts and adoptions of field-specific nutrient best management practices.

Thank you for your commitment to these valuable partnerships and to the continuous improvement of  Ohio’s water quality.

Members of the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative include the Environmental Defense Fund, the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University, Ohio AgriBusiness Association, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, the Ohio Dairy Producers Association, the Ohio Environmental Council, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Ohio Pork Council, the Ohio Poultry Association, the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, the Ohio Soybean Council, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Fertilizer Institute, and The Nature Conservancy.