04/16/2024

4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program Turns Ten

Over a decade, the program has achieved notable successes

This year, the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program marks a significant milestone—ten years of commitment to improving water quality and advancing sustainable agricultural practices in Ohio and beyond. Launched amidst growing concerns over harmful algal blooms, notably the 2011 record-setting outbreak on Lake Erie and the Toledo water crisis of 2014, the 4R Program emerged as a cooperative, solutions-oriented effort aimed at reducing nutrient runoff into Ohio’s water bodies.

"The journey of the 4R program over the past ten years is a testament to what can be achieved when industry leaders, environmental groups and the agricultural community come together with a common goal,” said Aaron Heilers, executive director of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program. “As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded of our continued responsibility to promote these best practices that the 4R program stands for and protect Ohio’s waterways.”

Over a decade, the 4R Program has achieved notable successes, including:

• Expansion from the Western Lake Erie Basin to statewide and international recognition with the establishment of the Global 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Council in 2019.
• Certification of 56 agricultural retailers covering 2.5 million acres, demonstrating the agricultural community’s widespread adoption of sustainable practices.
• A reduction in phosphorus application to Ohio fields by 16 percent compared to 20 years ago, contributing to the ongoing efforts to mitigate algal blooms and protect water quality.

Please select this link to read the complete press release from OABA.