Ohio Farmers Join H2Ohio Initiative to Improve Water Quality
In partnership with: Ohio Department of Agriculture
Healthy soil and clean water are cornerstones of farming. Now that DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative has expanded to farmers across the state, more Ohio farmers than ever are participating in the program focused on improving Ohio’s water quality.
Brian Baldridge, Ohio Department of Agriculture director, highlighted H2Ohio’s recent success, noting over 3,200 farmers are now enrolled in the program, covering more than 2.2 million acres across the state.
See more: Ohio Organizations Help Farmers Protect Water
“The overall vision is to expand best management practices farmers use to protect water quality in Northwest Ohio across the state,” he explains. “These practices are beneficial no matter where they’re implemented, and we’re proud of the strength and collaboration between agencies, farmers, and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts as our impact grows.”
The Ohio Department of Agriculture initially focused on the 24 Western Lake Erie Basin counties. The voluntary water quality best management practices allow farmers to implement those practices on their cropland, which have been proven to reduce phosphorous runoff. In 2024, the program expanded to include all counties in the state.
Protecting Ohio’s Waterways
In Fairfield County, Ohio, the expansion of H2Ohio is creating new opportunities for conservation efforts.
Nikki Drake, district manager/ engineering technician for the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District, is leading the implementation of the program locally. The expansion introduces voluntary nutrient management plans to the agency and the farmers it serves.
“The plans involve evaluating what fertilizer needs are from year to year based on soil test results and the crop type,” Drake says. “Most farmers are already smart about managing nutrients because it’s a significant cost for them. What H2Ohio offers is the ability to enhance those practices even further.”
So far, 13 farmers in Fairfield County have enrolled in the expanded program, covering about 8,000 acres. The goal is to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen runoff, critical contributors to water pollution and algal blooms.
See more: Robots Take Ag Innovation to the Next Level at 80 Acres Farms
“In Fairfield County, we are in several Ohio River watersheds, including the Scioto River, the Muskingum River, and the Hocking River, which starts here,” Drake says. “We also share Buckeye Lake with Licking and Perry counties, so water quality is essential.”
As the program continues to roll out, Drake expects more farmers in the county to get involved, especially as they see the benefits.
See more: Top 10 Ohio Agriculture Products
A New Tool in the Toolbox
Mike Wolfe of Wolfe Family Farms LLC is one of the first farmers in Fairfield County to enroll in H2Ohio. As a third-generation farmer, Wolfe has long been involved in conservation efforts, practicing no-till and cover cropping on his farm. Although Wolfe is early in his involvement with H2Ohio, he is optimistic about the program’s potential.
“Part of our farm is in the Buckeye Lake watershed, and we’ve always been committed to ensuring that the water going into the lake is as clean as possible,” Wolfe shares. “H2Ohio gives us more tools to fine- tune our management practices, which will help us protect our water resources and maintain the productivity of our farm for future generations.”
Wolfe’s approach mirrors that of many Ohio farmers who see the value in balancing agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship.
“Farmers live in communities and want our water to be safe like everyone else,” Wolfe says. “My grandpa taught me if I take care of the farm, it will take care of me.”
The expansion into counties like Fairfield marks a significant shift, bringing a focus on water quality to more areas critical to the health of Ohio’s rivers and lakes.
“Water quality and soil health are part of our foundational business model in the agricultural community, and we care about them tremendously,” Baldridge says.
To learn more, visit H2.Ohio.gov.