Conservation Action Project

Programs: Continued work on a great lakes commission (glc) grant that was awarded in october 2015. This grant is being used to retro-fit nutrient placement tools for phosphorus application. Worked with a local farm implement dealership to utilize their toolbar, but due to rainy weather conditions, this did not materialize. Potential to aid hundreds of farmers in the future.

partnership with campbell's soup is in its 10th and final year-year to assist with elimination of non-point pollution from the maumee river. The program focused on nitrate reduction. Worked with 12 different farmers to install controlled drainage structures and 11 farmers to utilize cover crops.

outreach to area farmers included the publication of one newsletter, which was mailed to over 3,000 individuals and businesses. Additionally, two field trips were conducted: one was field to the lake day on july 26, 2017, attended by 250 people. The other was to lenawee county, mighigan on august 29, 2017 to assess water quality by taking research samples for further analysis. This was attended by 25 people. Both items provided for interaction with other farmers regarding their farmng practices, as well as positive media attention.

continued working with tnc on development of a certification process for nutrient management with dealers and farmers known as the 4r program. To date there are 45 dealerships certified as 4r compliant. These dealers effectively cover nearly 2-million acres in the western lake erie basin area. New psa in 2017: assist the ohio state university extension office with their research on the topic of side dressing corn with manure. This deals with when and how to apply manure in a more efficient manner, and how that decision changes with differing weather conditions. Results could aid hundreds of farmers in the future.