01/10/2017

Central Ohio Farmers Co-op Monnett Facility Certified in 4R Nutrient Stewardship

The Monnett-based operation is a full-service agronomy location

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program has announced that the Central Ohio Farmers Co-op Monnett facility has been added to its growing list of nutrient service providers to achieve certified status.

The voluntary certification program, now in its third year, 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.

“We are very excited to receive 4R certification for our Monnett location,” said Scott Crowder, CEO of Central Ohio Farmers Co-op. “Implementation of the 4R principles is a win for growers and a win for agriculture in Ohio. We are proud to have additional tools to help our members be successful for years to come.”

The Central Ohio Farmers Co-op operation in Monnett is a full-service agronomy location. The facility provides a wide range of products, including grid soil sampling, variable rate custom application, liquid lime application and a recently expanded anhydrous ammonia system. The facility currently employs 18 full-time employees and three seasonal employees. 

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 2.8 million acres and more than 5,500 grower customers are serviced by the 37 facilities in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana that have earned 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification.

“By participating in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, Central Ohio Farmers Co-op has proven their ongoing commitment to the long-term improvement of Lake Erie’s water quality,” said Carrie-Vollmer Sanders, Nutrient Stewardship Council chairwoman.

“Central Ohio Farmers Co-op has worked very hard to ensure its operation is following the 4Rs, and we congratulate them on earning certification,” said Andrew Allman, executive 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 Lake Erie and its contributing watersheds. The program is administered by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. For more information, visit 4Rcertified.org, email info@oaba.net or call (614) 326-7520.