…new expectations for farmers in cleaning up Ohio’s waters Agriculture & Water Quality Larry M. Antosch, Ph.D. Senior Director, Policy Development and Environmental Policy

Ag’s Social License “the freedom that society gives that allows farmers to farm”

Balance Needs & Wants Political Social Environmental Economic Scientific

Turn Back the Clock

Grand Lake St. Marys May 2010

Peter Essick – National Geographic, May 2013 Late Summer 2011 Lake Erie

Toxic Algae Warnings September Resource Media and National Wildlife Federation

Why the Concern? Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) Taste and Odor – Drinking Water Foul Beaches Reduce Dissolved Oxygen Toxins (Nerve, Liver, Skin)

Toledo 2014

Farming methods What helps/hurts? Science Questions MultipleSources Costs Soil Types Weather Complex Challenge Ohio’s Water Resources

Watershed in Distress Rules Grand Lake St. Marys Designation and Compliance Effort Directors’ Agricultural Nutrients & Water Quality Working Group Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorus Task Force 1 & 2 What’s Happening…

Ohio Nutrient Reduction Strategy Nutrient Water Quality Standards Creation of Lake Facilities Authority at GLSM State dollars directly to conservation practices on farms What’s Happening…

Great Lakes Efforts – Lake Erie Phosphorus Reduction Strategy Chesapeake Bay Nutrient Efforts TMDL Development & Implementation Nutrient Trading What’s Happening…

What’s Ohio Ag Doing… Funding - OSU Sea Grant and Heidelberg University Issue Awareness Ag Retailer 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program State Nutrient Legislation

Letter to Members 2012 Unprecedented collaboration Statewide Issue Many sources Must do our part Must be proactive 4R Nutrient Stewardship

What’s Ohio Ag Doing… Funding - OSU Sea Grant and Heidelberg University Issue Awareness Ag Retailer 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program State Nutrient Legislation

S.B. 150 (Hite/Peterson) Fertilizer Applicator Certification Revocation Ability Records Keeping Voluntary Affirmative Defense

What’s Ohio Ag Doing… Over $1 M Edge of Field Monitoring 4R Nutrient Stewardship Promotion OSU Extension Workshops & Training Research & Demonstration Projects Soil Testing Cover Crops Variable Rate Fertilizer Application Controlled Drainage Structures

4R Nutrient Stewardship “Improve agricultural production while contributing to social well being and minimizing environmental impacts”

4R Nutrient Stewardship Use Nutrient Management Practices to ensure: the right SOURCE at the right RATE at the right TIME in the right PLACE

Healthy Water Ohio A STRATEGY FOR WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

What is Healthy Water Ohio? A diverse partnership of stakeholders from conservation, business and industry, universities, water suppliers, agriculture and others to lead the development of a 20- to 30- year Ohio water resource management strategy. What are the goals? To develop a set of recommendations that will sustainably meet current and future water needs while enhancing the state’s economy and quality of life for all Ohioans.

Steering Committee Business and industry Conservation and environmental advocacy Finance Food and farming Lawn, horticultural, turf Municipal water systems Public health Recreation and tourism Research, education and outreach

How does the process work?  Recreation/tourism  Wildlife  Public water supply  Industrial/power/agriculture  Infrastructure  Extreme events/natural disasters  Data collection  Economic impacts  Funding Opinion survey Issues, attitudes solutions Work groups Steering committee Identify Establish Provide input A wide spectrum of experts will collaborate in work groups to identify water quality/quantity problems and solutions in areas that include:

Why is this important? Water involves EVERY Ohioan. Usage and economic benefits include: Drinking water Energy production Shipping/Transportation Tourism Agriculture Industrial Boating/Swimming Commercial/Recreational fishing Ohio water users withdraw about 11 billion gallons each day from Ohio streams, lakes and aquifers.

Water enhances Ohioans’ quality of life. 3.1 million Ohioans (27%) live within 10 miles of Lake Erie or the Ohio River 466,890 privately owned swimming pools and hot tubs More than 800,000 fishing licenses sold annually; $2.9 billion in annual economic impact 778 miles of designated scenic rivers 450,018 registered watercraft, making Ohio a top 10 state

Stressors include: Expanding population Growth of water- dependent industries Urban, rural development Changing climate patterns Ohio’s Water Resources A statewide/national challenge Columbus Dispatch “Troubled Water”: “Heavy spring rains that wash fertilizers off farm fields help a toxic blue-green algae blossom into a massive stain that can stretch from Toledo to Cleveland.” Gulf of Mexico dead zone Lake Erie

Healthy Water Ohio’s Action Plan Solicit input from the public, stakeholders, organizations and others to identify water resource issues. Evaluate the ability of Ohio’s water resources to meet short-term and long- term needs. Identify and evaluate Ohio’s unique economic, social and environmental opportunities related to an abundant water resource.

Explore the drivers of change impacting Ohio water resources in the present, short-term and long-term. Determine possible solutions to address the water resource challenges. Implement a unified strategy that allows stakeholders to improve and protect the state’s water resources. Healthy Water Ohio’s Action Plan

Your input, resources are welcome What you can do? Get involved The Steering Committee members of Healthy Water Ohio invite you to share your opinions, ideas, and recommendations about water issues in Ohio during an upcoming input meeting. HwO is conducting five (5) regional meetings throughout the state. To learn more about Healthy Water Ohio, please visit

OFBF WQ Action Plan WLEB – Fertilizer Certification WLEB – Nutrient Management Plans NRCS Collaboration Edge of Field Research & Promotion Update Soil Fertility Recommendations Healthy Water Ohio Home Sewage Treatment Drinking Water Protection County FB Programs