Farmers, Retailers Attend 4R Certification 4U Workshop

More than 160 farmers and agricultural retailers located in the Western Lake Erie Basin attended the “4R Certification 4U” workshop in Perrysburg, Ohio to learn more about the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship, water quality research in the area and cost-sharing opportunities.

The workshop, hosted by the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, featured sessions geared toward both farmers and ag retailers, sharing the benefits of 4R Nutrient Stewardship, which refers to using the Right Source of Nutrients at the Right Rate and Right Time in the Right Place.

“We had a very engaged audience at the workshop today, which is indicative of farmers and ag retailers in the Western Lake Erie Basin committed to doing the right thing in terms of working to improve the area’s water quality while also remaining profitable with their farms and businesses,” said Chris Henney, president and CEO of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association.

The workshop featured presenters representing both farmers and retailers, including John Fritz, with The Andersons, Inc., and George and David Brand, of Brand Dairy Farm, that presented on a number of related topics, such as an update on Lake Erie’s water quality, why the 4Rs are important to farmers and ag retailers, and 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program cost-sharing opportunities.

"The growth and interest in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program needs the involvement of all parts of agriculture," said Gary Pennell, a certified crop adviser at Farmers Elevator & Supply Association. "Today's presentations provided a great follow-up from where we were a year ago, and we need to keep the momentum to quantify our measurable impact as we move forward."

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification program was launched in March 2014 by the Nutrient Stewardship Council and encourages agricultural retailers, service providers and other certified professionals to adopt proven best practices through the 4Rs. Outlining 43 criteria to be implemented, the voluntary program is staggered over a three-year period. To date, more than 50 retailers have signed up for the program and three have achieved certified status.

Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, Western Lake Erie Basin project director for The Nature Conservancy, was on hand to recognize the certified retailers at the workshop.

“Since the launch of the 4R Certification Program, it has been recognized by the White House, has three certified nutrient service providers and has brought the science, environmental and agricultural groups together to help grow more food and less algae,” said Vollmer-Sanders.

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program is governed and guided by the Nutrient Stewardship Council, a diverse set of stakeholders from business, government, university and non-governmental sectors with a common goal of maintaining agricultural productivity while also improving the quality of Lake Erie and its contributing watersheds. The program is administered by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. For more information, visit 4Rcertified.org, email info@oaba.net or call 614-326-7520.