OACI Media Statement on H2Ohio

MJ Eckhouse, May 19, 2020

COLUMBUS, OH – In response to news that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine preserved $50 million in H2Ohio funding despite significant cuts to the state’s overall budget, the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI) today issued the following statement:

“Ohio’s farm community is deeply grateful that Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda continue to make our water quality a priority, and we appreciate their commitment to retain $50 million in funding for the H2Ohio program.

“As farmers, being good stewards of Ohio’s natural resources is our firm responsibility. We take seriously the opportunity to use these funds to plan for and implement best water quality practices on our farms that will protect Ohio’s lakes, rivers and streams for future generations.

“The Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative looks forward to continuing our work to advance statewide farmer certification programs, to support smart investments in on-farm conservation measures, and to provide Ohio’s farmers with the tools and resources they need to do their part to improve water quality in the state.”

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MEDIA CONTACT: Amanda Wurst, Remington Road Group, 614.832.7512

Members of the Agriculture Conservation Initiative include the Environmental Defense Fund, the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University, Ohio AgriBusiness Association, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, the Ohio Dairy Producers Association, the Ohio Environmental Council, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Ohio Pork Council, the Ohio Poultry Association, the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, the Ohio Soybean Council, The Fertilizer Institute, and The Nature Conservancy.