OHIGRO, Inc. Delaware Facility Certified in 4R Nutrient Stewardship
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program has announced that the OHIGRO, Inc. Delaware facility has been added to its growing list of nutrient service providers to achieve certified status.
The voluntary certification program, now in its fourth 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.
“At OHIGRO, it is always about using the right product at the right time at the right rate, placed in the best possible location,” said Chuck Steelman, agronomist for OHIGRO. “Our families live in these communities, so we truly care about protecting the environment.”
OHIGRO, Inc., a family-owned agricultural retailer based in Waldo, Ohio, has been in business for more than 50 years, providing Ohio farmers with an assortment of fertilizers, seeds, crop protection products, custom application services, as well as an array of lawn care products. OHIGRO’s Delaware facility services Delaware, Knox, Licking, and Morrow counties, with two Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) and a Certified Professional Agronomist on staff.
“As a fifth-generation farmer, working with a 4R Certified facility means they have an added level of professionalism, knowledge and value placed on their services and products to both maximize my financial resources efficiently and protect our environmental resources for future generations,” said Adam Katter, farmer and OHIGRO customer. “Customers of OHIGRO can knowingly trust and recognize that their applications are being performed accurately in every field, every time.”
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 nearly 6,000 grower customers are serviced by the 45 facilities in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana that have earned 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification.
“The Nutrient Stewardship Council is proud of OHIGRO Delaware facility’s efforts in earning certification in this voluntary program, ” said Andrew Allman, executive director of the NSC.
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.
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CUTLINES: OHIGRO, Inc. Delaware facility is now 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certified. Employees pictures (from L to R) include: Kurt Ide, Chuck Steelman, David Fierbaugh, Patty Havens, Alfred West, Eric Brown, Eric Hamilton