Mid-Wood, Inc. Tontogany Facility Certified in 4R Nutrient Stewardship
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program has announced that the Mid-Wood, Inc. Tontogany facility has been added to its growing list of nutrient service providers to achieve certified status.
The voluntary certification program, now in its third year, 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 and other waterways across Ohio.
“We are pleased to complete 4R certification at our Tontogany location,” said Ed Miller, Vice-President of Agronomy Services for Mid-Wood Inc. “Our staff has always strived to utilize correct agronomic practices in all aspects of our fertility programs; this certification indicates our dedication to continue to do our part in improving the water quality of our lakes and streams.”
The Mid-Wood location in Tontogany, Ohio has been part of the Mid-Wood cooperative since 1992 and, in conjunction with another Mid-Wood location, serves as a full-service agronomy location. The current on-site employees have more than 80 years of combined experience in agricultural retail and includes two certified crop advisers.
“With the 4R strategy fully in place, we carry out our primary goals of implementing best management practices and outstanding service for our agronomy customers,” said Miller.
The 4R program certifies nutrient service providers in the Western Lake Erie Basin and across the state of Ohio that apply or make 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.
Approximately 2.8 million acres and more than 5,000 grower customers are serviced by the 38 facilities in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana that have earned 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification.
“The Nutrient Stewardship Council is proud of Mid-Wood Tontogany’s efforts in earning certification in this voluntary program, ” said Carrie-Vollmer Sanders, Nutrient Stewardship Council chairwoman.
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 non-governmental 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 info@oaba.net or call 614-326-7520.
CUTLINES: Mid-Wood, Inc. Tontogany facility is now 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certified. Employees pictures (from L to R) include: Kurt Ramthun, Ed Nagel and Pete Lanning