Mid-Wood, Inc. Plymouth Facility Certified in 4R Nutrient Stewardship

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program has announced that the Mid-Wood, Inc. Plymouth facility has been added to its growing list of nutrient service providers to achieve certified status.

The voluntary certification program, now in its seventh 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 excited to receive 4R Certification for the Plymouth branch of Mid-Wood, Inc.,” said David Fierbaugh, sales agronomist at Mid-Wood, Inc. “We believe in maintaining a balanced fertility program while protecting the environment and water supply where we all live.”

The Mid-Wood Plymouth facility has been in operation for 3 years, moving from the Bucyrus facility which was there in operation for 8. As a full-service agronomy facility, the Plymouth facility offers seed, fertilizer, chemical, custom application and precision agriculture services, with 9 full-time employees and on-site Certified Crop Advisers to assist with farm recommendations and planning.

“Working with a 4R retailer is important to our operation not only to reduce the environmental impact but also to increase crop efficiency and improve our bottom line,” said Kelvin Egner, farmer and Mid-Wood customer.

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 2.81 million acres and more than 5,800 grower customers are serviced by the 58 facilities in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana that have earned 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification.

“The Nutrient Stewardship Council is proud of Mid-Wood Bascom 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.

CUTLINE: Mid-Wood, Inc. Plymouth facility is now 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certified. Employees pictures (from L to R) include: Sam Boyce, Noah Cleary, Maggie Phillips, Johnathan Agin, Eric Workman, Derek Sweeting, David Fierbaugh.