Turning Plans into Progress: The Future of H2Ohio in Ashland County

Soil and Water Conservation Districts across Ohio have been diligently working to finalize nutrient management plans (NMPs) as part of the H2Ohio initiative. Here in Ashland County, we’re proud to have developed plans covering nearly 22,000 acres of cropland.

As 2024 comes to a close, you may be wondering: what’s next for H2Ohio in Ashland County? With the development of these NMPs now complete through the MyFarms software, the next step is their implementation.

Each participating producer will actively follow their customized plan, ensuring that all nutrient applications align with its guidelines. To track progress, producers will also be required to keep detailed and accurate records of nutrient applications, including timing, amounts, and methods.

If you are a producer wondering what records are required for compliance, we encourage you to join us for our upcoming Conservation Chat: H2Ohio at Work. This meeting will provide valuable insights into the record-keeping process and ensure you’re equipped to meet program requirements.

To offer further guidance, staff from the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) will be on-site to explain the certification process in detail, answer your questions, and provide practical tips for record-keeping.

Chris Fennig, founder of the MyFarms platform, will also be joining us at the event. Chris will share insights about MyFarms, highlighting its features and benefits, as well as discussing additional resources available through the platform to support your nutrient management efforts.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from the creator of a tool designed to make managing your data easier and more efficient. Join us for H2Ohio at Work, scheduled for Thursday, January 30, at 9:00 AM in the Freer Community Room at the Ashland County Park District Office, located at 1301 Park Street, Ashland. All H2Ohio producers in attendance will enjoy a warm breakfast to start the day.

Exciting news for livestock producers: H2Ohio will be expanding its efforts to include a focus on hayland and grazing practices through a program with NRCS. This upcoming initiative will emphasize prescribed grazing, pasture/hayland management, and nutrient management planning.

Stay tuned for more details on how grazing operations can benefit from this program, including potential cost-share opportunities and best management practices.

If you are interested in learning more about or enrolling in H2Ohio, please reach out to Cora at 419-281-7645. We will collect your information and notify you once enrollment opens for additional acres. We anticipate funding for additional enrollment in late 2025 or early 2026.