COLUMBUS, Ohio — Continuing its commitment to improving water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin, Nester Ag, LLC in Bryan, Ohio, has achieved certified status for year two through the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program.
The voluntary certification program 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. Facilities are required to meet certain program goals each year to retain certified status.
With the program in its fourth year, Nester Ag joins a long list of retailers to achieve year two certification.
“For Nester Ag, being 4R Certified means being part of the solution for agriculture and the environment,” said Joe Nester, owner of Nester Ag. “The 4Rs are the backbone of nutrient management for the ag industry and farming. By following these guidelines, we can all minimize risk of off-site movement of nutrients and improve farmers’ bottom lines.”
Nester Ag was started in 1993 and provides precision nutrient management consulting to farmers in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. With nine employees, Nester Ag works to make the farmer more profitable through great nutrient efficiency and recoverability, striving for the nutrients that are applied to get to the crop.
“Nester Ag has proven that nutrient stewardship using the 4R principles is a top priority in everyday operations,” said Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, Nutrient Stewardship Council chairwoman.
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. The program outlines an initial three-year plan for nutrient service providers, with cumulative requirements for each year of certification. For more information on the yearly requirements, visit 4rcertified.org/how.
“The certification program is an ongoing effort for participants and we are proud of Nester Ag’s continued commitment,” said Chris Henney, president and CEO of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association.
Approximately 2.7 million acres and more than 5,900 grower customers are serviced by the 39 facilities in Ohio that have earned 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification, with approximately 70 percent of those acres located in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
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 nongovernmental 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.
— Ohio AgriBusiness Association