H2Ohio was first made available to producers in the Western Lake Erie Basin in 2019. Since then, more than 2,600 producers have enrolled 1.8 million acres into voluntary conservation practices that are improving Ohio’s waters.

Overview for Ohio Producers

H2Ohio is Governor DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, stop pollution, and improve access to clean drinking water by supporting best farming practices, road salt runoff reduction, litter cleanup, dam removal, land conservation, and water infrastructure revitalization.

OVERVIEW:

Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) H2Ohio program is designed to reduce nutrient runoff by incentivizing producers to implement science-based, proven best management practices (BMPs) on the farm. ODA’s incentive program was first made available to producers in the Western Lake Erie Basin and is now expanding to counties statewide. ODA has a close partnership with SWCDs across Ohio to provide technical assistance, administer program contracts, and assist producers in implementing BMPs.

BENEFITS:

H2Ohio provides producers cost-saving benefits with financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that are proven to improve soil health and water quality.
Eligible producers can enroll acreage into a Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan (VNMP) and earn a $10/acre incentive for VNMP development and approval. Producers can also earn incentives of
$10/acre (Basic) or $15/acre (Precision) for VNMP implementation.

ELIGIBILITY:

Agricultural, row-crop producers who farm outside of the Western Lake Erie Basin.

HOW TO ENROLL:

Please visit your local Soil and Water Conservation District for more information.

Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan (VNMP) and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Development

Purpose:

To increase producer collection and use of soil test results to develop nutrient recommendations
To properly utilize commercial fertilizer, manure and/or organic by-products as a plant nutrient source or soil amendment
To reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution of surface water and groundwater resources

Applicability:

VNMPs and CNMPs apply to cropland acres in the program area. Acres receiving payment under any other county, state, or federal program (EQIP, H2Ohio, MWCD etc.), for nutrient management are not eligible. Cropland enrolled in CSP and receiving payment for NRCS Practices 590 are not eligible.

Specifications:

VNMPs and CNMPs will be developed in the MyFarms application.
VNMPs and CNMPs will be written to the current NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Standard.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus rates will follow 2020 Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations (Ohio State Extension -Bulletin 974).
Phosphorus application rates shall not exceed a two-year recommendation, per the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations.
VNMPs and CNMPs may be developed by an ag retailer, independent crop consultant, or producer.
VNMPs and CNMPs must be reviewed and approved by the local SWCD Board of Supervisors or director’s designee.
Average yield shall be used for fertilizer recommendations.
VNMPs and CNMPs developed through H2Ohio must meet the minimum requirements set forth in ORC905.31(DD).

Soil tests must be compliant with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office technical guide and not older than four years.
Documentation of the method and seasonal time of utilization and application of nutrients.
Identification of all nutrients applied, including manure, fertilizer, sewage sludge, and biodigester residue.
Field information regarding land subject to the plan, including the location, spreadable acreage, crops grown, and actual and projected yields.

Additional Considerations for VNMPs and CNMPs:

Soil samples for soil tests must represent 25 acres or less for a basic VNMP or CNMP.
For precision VNMPs and CNMPs, one soil sample must represent no more than six acres for grid sampling and no more than 12 acres for a zone management system. Soil test results must be uploaded in shapefile format.
Producers will be allowed to place up to 20 pounds of P2O5 as starter fertilizer at planting for corn, even when soil test phosphorus is above 50 ppm. Producers will also be allowed to apply up to 20 pounds of P2O5 as starter fertilizer for wheat establishment, even when soil test phosphorus is above 50 ppm. Starter applications must be included in the nutrient budget.
When a Precision VNMP or CNMP is developed based on zones, soil fertility, soil types, cropping history, and crop management practices should be considered when delineating the zones.
The Precision BMP requires a variable rate phosphorus prescription map in the VNMP or CNMP for the upcoming enrolled year, uploaded in shapefile format. Assuming a non-zero nutrient recommendation in the VNMP or CNMP, the precision BMP requires at least one non-zero application rate to be present in the variable rate prescription map.

Additional Considerations for Livestock Producers:

Most program participants will be able to use the VNMP to complete H2Ohio program requirements.
Livestock producers who produce a significant amount of manure in their operations will be required to develop a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP).

Operations that produce more than 350 tons of manure, or more than 100,000 gallons of liquid manure annuallyare required to develop a CNMP.
Operations producing less than 350 tons, or 100,000 gallons of manure annually must be assessed to determine the need for a CNMP. Current soil tests and livestock production facilities will be used to determine if a CNMP is needed for these operations.
A livestock production facility site visit by the SWCD and potentially ODA, may be required.
Producers will work directly with the SWCD and / or ODA to determine if a CNMP is needed.

Participant Payments:

Producers will receive $5/ac/year upon approval of a VNMP or CNMP by the SWCD.

Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan (VNMP) and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Implementation