Legacy Farmers Cooperative – Pandora Agronomy Achieves Year Seven Certification in 4R Nutrient Stewardship

Continuing its commitment to improving water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin, Legacy Farmers Cooperative in Pandora, Ohio, has achieved certified status for year seven 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, Pandora Agronomy joins a long list of retailers to achieve multi-year certification.

Pandora Agronomy, located in eastern Putnam County. It employs 10 full-time staff and has been in operation as a Legacy Farmers Cooperative location since 2014 via the merge of Blanchard Valley Farmers and Deshler Farmers. Legacy Farmers Cooperative has a full-service lineup that includes dry application of fertilizer, liquid applications of crop protection and nutrient products, cover crop applications, and dry fertilizer applications. Legacy Farmers Cooperative also has a full-service precision agriculture program which includes soil sampling, VRT fertilizer recommendations, VRT application, and nutrient management planning services.

“I see the 4R program as a feather in our cap; we are going the extra mile to do what’s right for the farmer, being precise about where fertilizer is placed and not over-applying,” said Derek Rieman, Pandora Agronomy crop specialist. “We are also applying at optimal times, not when there is a risk of fertilizer loss due to conditions or oncoming weather. 4R to me is a symbol to the farmer and the public that we are doing what is right for the grower and the land. As a salesman I know I am going to have a repeat customer because I am out there to do what is best for them representing a 4R-certified agronomy location, and they see that. There is no better way to build a relationship with customers than building that trust and working for a 4R-certified retailer gives me the confidence to know I am doing the right thing for our customers.”

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.

“For me, working with a 4R-certified retailer gives me confidence that our recommendations from soil testing will be accurate and that they will be good for our operation and our soil,” said Don Boehm, Pandora Agronomy customer. “Working with a 4R certified retailer is like having an expert who can take the stress off of me to keep up with ever-changing guidelines and research. It is the peace of mind to know it will all get done properly.”

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: Pandora Agronomy is a Legacy Farmers Cooperative year seven 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certified location. Employees pictured include (L to R): Dave Rieman, Dave Koch, Courtney Gerten, Sean Kelley, Bret Kelley, Steve Welty, Daniel Morman, Derek Rieman. (Not Pictured: Duane Ricker, James Ricker)