The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program is a proactive, responsible commitment aimed at the long-term improvement water quality.

This Program encourages agricultural retailers, service providers and other certified professionals to adopt proven best practices through the 4Rs, which refers to using the Right Source of Nutrients at the Right Rate and Right Time in the Right Place. This approach provides a science-based framework for plant nutrition management and sustained crop production, while considering specific individual farms’ needs.

The Program was launched in March 2014 to address water quality concerns in Lake Erie. Originating in the Western Lake Erie Basin in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, the 4R Program expanded to the full state of Ohio in 2017, and internationally in 2019.