Ohio Dept. of Ag announces 14 counties eligible to enroll in H2Ohio initiative.

Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge has announced that farmers in 14 counties of the Western Lake Erie Basin were eligible to enroll in Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative that began Monday. Producers in the following northwest Ohio counties are eligible to enroll or re-enroll acreage into proven, science-based, best management practices that contribute toward improving water quality: Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams and Wood. Farmers must have an up-to-date soil test and develop an approved Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan to enroll into other best management practices being offered in 2026 and 2027. Available BMPs include overwintering cover, subsurface phosphorus placement and manure incorporation and utilization.