TOLEDO, Ohio — Farmers in 10 northwest Ohio counties who are included in the Western Lake Erie Basin are now eligible to enroll or re-enroll in an incentive program that helps improve water quality.

The H2Ohio’s agriculture incentive program uses proven, science-based, best management practices to help improve water quality throughout the state. Producers in the following counties can apply: Crawford, Erie, Huron, Marion, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby and Wyandot.

To enroll, farmers must contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District and provide up-to-date soil tests and develop an approved Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan (VNMP). Available BMPs that are currently allowing enrollment include overwintering cover, subsurface phosphorus placement and manure incorporation and utilization.

“The agricultural community in Ohio has shown us time and time again they are dedicated to doing their part to improve water quality,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. “We are asking farmers to step up once more and continue their commitment to reducing nutrients and protecting Ohio’s waterways for future generations, and we strongly encourage farmers who have not enrolled in H2Ohio before to talk with their county SWCD.”

So far, more than 3,200 producers have enrolled 2.2 million acres in H2Ohio across the state. As for northwest Ohio, about 43% of cropland in the Western Lake Erie Basin is enrolled in H2Ohio.

H2Ohio is a statewide water quality initiative that addresses issues facing Ohio’s waterways. The program also helps producers with cost-saving benefits to help implement conservation practices that improve the soil health and water quality. To learn more about the program, click here.