Gerald Grain Center Agronomy – Ridgeville Corners Achieves Year Two Certification in 4R Nutrient Stewardship

Continuing its commitment to improving water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin, Gerald Grain Center Agronomy in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, 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 ninth year, Gerald Grain Center Agronomy – Ridgeville Corners joins a long list of retailers to achieve year two certification.

“Gerald Grain Center Agronomy is proud to continue being part of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program,” said Joe Taylor, CCA for Gerald Grain Center. “The program is a great opportunity for GGC to provide our growers excellent agronomic recommendations while protecting water quality. The 4R program holds Gerald Grain to a higher standard and this shows our commitment to the environment, as well as our customers.”

Gerald Grain Center has been in operation in Ridgeville Corners since 2000. Gerald Grain Center Agronomy is a full-service co-op location, offering liquid and dry fertilizer, bulk and packaged chemicals, seed treating, field scouting and more to ensure the success of their patrons. Gerald Grain Center also offers many precision ag services including variable rate seeding and variable rate fertilizer recommendations, grid and zone sampling, and variable rate application of dry and liquid fertilizers. Gerald Grain Center Agronomy has a staff of 11 employees, including one Certified Crop Advisor, three crop consultants and six custom applicators.

“Working with Gerald Grain Agronomy who is 4R Certified is a great resource to make sure we are getting the right amount of nutrients on the right fields,” said Brock Bostelman, Gerald Grain Center grower customer. “We are saving money and being good stewards of the land so that’s a win-win.”

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 2.5 million acres and more than 5,000 grower customers are serviced by the 55 facilities in Ohio that have earned 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification.

“The certification program is an ongoing effort for participants, and we are proud of the continued commitment shown by Gerald Grain Center Agronomy – Ridgeville Corners,” said Aaron Heilers, 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 non-governmental sectors with a common goal of maintaining agricultural productivity while also improving the quality of the Lake Erie Basin and other waterways throughout Ohio. 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: Gerald Grain Center is Year Two 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certified. Employees pictured include: Front Row (L to R): Greg Peper, Tim Eggers, Jason Fisher, Ethan Wiechers; Back Row (L to R): Brad Rosebrock, Michael Cohrs, Jamie Damman, Noah Kruezm Joe Taylor (Not Pictured: Jeff Buchhop, Darion Wade)