CPS in Attica, Ohio Achieves Year Two Certification in 4R Nutrient Stewardship
Continuing its commitment to improving water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin, Crop Production Services in Attica has achieved certified status for year two through the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program.
The voluntary certification program is a concentrated effort by the agriculture industry to significantly reduce and prevent applied nutrients from running off fields, which has contributed to water quality issues in Lake Erie. Facilities are required to meet certain program goals each year to retain certified status.
With the program in its third year, CPS Attica joins a growing list of retailers to achieve year two certification.
“CPS Attica and its growers are continually looking for advancements to implement in our operations which maintain healthy soils and limit environmental impact,” said Kate Welch, CPS Precision Ag Consultant.
CPS Attica is a full-service agronomy terminal providing a wide range of seed, crop products and services. These include cover crops, seed, crop protection, fertilizer, nutritionals, GPS grid soil sampling, variable rate custom application, prescription seed and fertilizer recommendations, analysis of fertilizer, plant, soil, and yield data, layered data analysis, satellite imagery, nitrogen management, records management, and more.
This location serves as a supply chain to a large portion of Northern Ohio’s vineyards, garden markets and “Muck Ground” producers who specialize in fruit and vegetables. It also serves as a terminal for other CPS locations across the United States. Two Certified Crop Advisers, five full-time Crop Consultants, and a full-time Precision Ag Consultant are on staff.
The 4R program certifies nutrient service providers in the Western Lake Erie Basin that apply fertilizer, or make application recommendations, are doing so in accordance with 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles – which refers to using the Right Source of Nutrients at the Right Rate and Right Time in the Right Place.
Program participants must go through an annual, independent, third-party audit and demonstrate they not only understand 4R principles, but also follow them. The program outlines an initial three-year plan for nutrient service providers, with cumulative requirements for each year of certification. For more information on the yearly requirements, visit 4rcertified.org/how.
“The certification program is an ongoing effort for participants and we are proud of the CPS Attica’s commitment,” said Carrie-Vollmer Sanders, Nutrient Stewardship Council chairwoman.
Approximately 2.7 million acres and over 5,500 grower customers are serviced by the 34 facilities in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana that have earned 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification, with approximately 70 percent of those acres located in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
“CPS Attica has proven that nutrient stewardship using the 4R principles is a top priority in everyday operations,” said Andrew Allman, executive director of the Nutrient Stewardship Council.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program is governed and guided by the Nutrient Stewardship Council, a diverse set of stakeholders from business, government, university and nongovernmental sectors with a common goal of maintaining agricultural productivity while also improving the quality of Lake Erie and its contributing watersheds. The program is administered by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. For more information, visit 4Rcertified.org, email aallman@oaba.net or call 614-326-7520.