COLUMBUS, Ohio — Calling public attention to the progress made by farmers to reduce nutrient runoff into waterways is the focus of an Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) Water Quality Status Report.

Released last week, OFBF representatives said the report highlights several actions being taken by farmers, Farm Bureau and collaborative partners to address the challenges that threaten Ohio’s clean water resources and assures the public the issue is important to the agricultural community.

In the aftermath of the public drinking water supply problems in Toledo last August, the report notes the ag community is encouraging the use of new farming techniques to protect water while farming productively. It emphasizes the western Lake Erie basin, but notes water quality is a statewide issue.

"Ohio farmers are stewards of soil and water, and we all know we play an important role in protecting Ohio’s water. We take this role very seriously and have committed to doing our share to ensure both healthy water and sustainable food production in Ohio," said Steve Hirsch, OFBF president.

"We’re proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish so far, but there is a lot of work to be done and we look to partner with others who help protect one of our state’s most important natural resources."

Because the water quality problems at the Toledo drinking water plant last year brought the topic to national attention, Hirsch said the organization realized legislation was inevitable and decided to become part of the solution.

"Water quality and quantity have always been important to farmers," he said April 20. "We just take it for granted unless there’s not enough or too much."

He said the organization developed a Water Quality Action Plan and funded it with $1 million of member money. He added OFBF also started to encourage farmers to become certified fertilizer applicators immediately, far in advance of the 2017 deadline.

"We hired a water quality staff member and plan to hire another one," Hirsch said. And, the organization is creating demonstration plots in northwestern Ohio where farmers can learn various ways of reducing runoff from farmland.

Adam Sharp, OFBF’s vice president of public policy, reviewed legislation passed since last fall. Senate Bill 1 is now a law restricting the application of manure and fertilizer on frozen, snow-covered or saturated ground in the western Lake Erie basin. S.B. 150 was the first legislation of its kind in the nation when it created a fertilizer applicator certification program.

During a teleconference, Greg LaBarge, field specialist for agronomic systems with Ohio State University extension, said OSU has created a program called Field to Faucet to study the topic, and the university has several research projects under way.

"We’re taking a close look at what we’re doing from an ag standpoint," he said. "We’re really focused on the western piece of Lake Erie."

He said current research is focused on understanding nutrient enrichment in relation to water quality, then teaching farmers how to manage those resources so they are better able to make decisions that affect their profits and how best water can leave their farms.

LaBarge said 6,439 farmers already have taken the class and earned fertilizer applicator certification during 110 classes in all 88 counties.

"That effort is ongoing," he said.

Among the progress outlined in the report by OFBF:

•Helping thousands of farmers in the western Lake Erie basin watershed develop nutrient management plans

•Working with legislators to get state funding for water quality improvements

•Establishing a network of demonstration farms

•Committing additional funding to OSU’s edge-of-field water runoff study, which has been under way for a few years

•Increasing commitment to the Healthy Water Ohio coalition

•Supporting county development of water quality programming

•Promoting 4R nutrient stewardship principles and other conservation practices

•Securing federal funds that will help improve water quality

Hirsch said people must understand that challenges such as algae blooms will not be solved overnight, nor will they be solved by farmers alone.

"Protecting our water is an ongoing effort that will require a long-term commitment by farmers as well as our communities, businesses and every group or person who relies on clean water," he said. "No other state in the nation has accomplished what we have in Ohio, and I’m confident we’ll be successful moving forward."

To see or download a copy of the report, visit www.farmersforwater.org