Fort Wayne 4R Farming Event Set For February 12
January 29, 2016 The Nutrient Stewardship Council will host a complimentary “4R Farming 4 Sustainability” educational workshop Feb. 12 in Fort Wayne, IN, providing farmers and agricultural retailers updates, perspectives and information on the 4Rs and the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification.
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 harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, such as the one responsible for the shutdown of Toledo’s water supply in early August of 2014.
“This event will help farmers and nutrient service providers learn more about the voluntary certification program and how important the 4Rs can be in nutrient management,” said Andrew Allman, executive director of the Nutrient Stewardship Council. “Attendees will hear from both their peers and industry professionals to learn how they can contribute to the goal of long-term improvements in the Western Lake Erie Basin.”
The workshop agenda includes:
- An overview of the certification program and its relevancy/legislative connection, provided by Nutrient Stewardship Council representatives and certification program administrators.
- Perspectives about the program and the 4Rs, shared by panels of growers from Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, and representatives from facilities that have become certified through the program within the first two years of its existence.
- Updates on related research and certification program requirements from industry professionals and consultants.
- Rick McLellan, senior vice president – commercial division, of The Mosaic Company will be the featured keynote speaker.
Twenty-three nutrient service providers have achieved certified status through the program since its inception in March of 2014. These certified facilities provide nutrient recommendations or nutrient application services to 3,870 grower customers covering 1.57 million acres, with 1.09 million of these acres located in the WLEB. Approximately 20 percent of total farming acres in the WLEB are now covered by certified providers through the program. The program also has commitments from 47 other facilities to go through the certification process.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship concept provides proven best practices for nutrient application by using the Right Source of Nutrients at the Right Rate and Right Time in the Right Place.
Registration
The 4R Farming 4 Sustainability workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Wayne, IN – IPFW Coliseum, 4111 Paul Shaffer Drive, Fort Wayne, IN, 46825. Continental breakfast and lunch is included with complimentary registration. For more information and to register for the event, visit oaba.net/events, email [email protected] or call 614-326-7520 ext. 1.
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