The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program has announced Sunrise Cooperative Inc. facilities in Attica, Ballville, Crestline, and Norwalk have retained their 4R Certified status for the sixth year – the first facilities to reach this achievement, reports the Sidney Daily News. In addition, facilities in South Charleston, Osgood, and Uniopolis have been added to its growing list of nutrient service providers to achieve certified status.
The voluntary certification program, now in its seventh 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 and other waterways across Ohio.
A leader in agriculture, nutrient management and addressing water quality concerns in the Lake Erie Basin, and the full state of Ohio, Sunrise has proven they are managed in accordance with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification standards.
“At Sunrise, we begin each day committed to growing the success of our customer-owners, including having people in place to assist with continued education and responsible management of their nutrients,” said George D. Secor, President/CEO of Sunrise Cooperative. “Our dedication to nutrient stewardship is an example of our commitment to water quality and doing our part by not applying nutrients when they are not needed.”
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.
Continue reading at the Sidney Daily News.
