Mercer Landmark Payne Achieves Year Two Certification in 4R Nutrient Stewardship
March 13, 2019 Continuing its commitment to improving water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin, Mercer Landmark Payne facility 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.
Mercer Landmark Payne facility is Year Two 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certified. Employees pictured (from L to R) include: Jacob Lewis, Caleb Ivins, Nathan Anderson, Walter James, Sadie Litzenberg, Doug Mansfield, Bob Young, Brian Fry, Andrew Fry, Michael James, Denny Snyder, Natalie Appel, Mark Rekeweg, Trent Goyings, Noah Arnett, Ben Stoller, Nick Collins, and Bob Baer (Not pictured: Kaleigh McClain.)
With the program in its sixth year, Mercer Landmark Payne joins a long list of retailers to achieve year two certification.
“Participating in the 4R program proves our commitment to applying responsible agronomic practices in our local geography,” said Ben Stoller, CCA, sales agronomist at Mercer Landmark Payne. “Our customer-patrons and neighbors can be assured we encourage sound stewardship of our environment and natural resources.”
The Mercer Landmark Payne facility served patrons as Payne Equity since 1916. In 2007, it was acquired by Mercer Landmark, Inc. Services include: precision soil sampling; crop fertility recommendations and application; crop protection recommendations, sales and application; grain storage and marketing; energy sales; livestock feed sales. The Payne facility has 21 full-time employees and one Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) on staff.
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.
Approximately 3.19 million acres and more than 7,100 grower customers are serviced by the 53 facilities in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana that have earned 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification.
“The certification program is an ongoing effort for participants and we are proud of the continued commitment shown by Mercer Landmark Payne facility,” said Andrew Allman, executive director of the Nutrient Stewardship Council.
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