OSU Nutrient Management Research Project Funding

OABA Members Can Leverage Contribution Dollars Through The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation’s New Matching Incentive

As we shared in a recent edition of News & Notes, more research is needed in regards to water quality issues in Ohio – and to ensure the agriculture industry takes appropriate and necessary action to minimize chances of future regulation. To fill this need, The Ohio State University’s Nutrient Management Research Project was devised to validate the phosphorus index, to help farmers choose best practices, and to provide contributor data to paint a clearer picture of what role agriculture is playing in the phosphorus loading of Ohio watersheds.

The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation has graciously announced a new commitment to match all contributions from Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) members and other agriculture-related associations and organizations. The government match period has expired, but all donations committed in the coming weeks will be matched dollar for dollar by The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation, up to $50,000. Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a difference, and this matching incentive will help you leverage your dollars.

Currently, The Ohio State University research project led by Dr. Elizabeth Dayton has raised $740,000 toward the $2.6 million needed to implement the research project. In addition, Dr. Dayton has been invited to submit a U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) proposal (due this week) which, if awarded, will supply up to $1 million in federal support. Dr. Dayton’s project (click here for a project summary) involves OSU Extension and other support from OSU, USDA-NRCS and USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) and is truly a collaborative effort. In September, the Ohio Soybean Council approved initial seed funding of $200,000 to support Dr. Dayton’s project. Subsequently, the Ohio Soybean Council approved an additional $275,000; the Ohio Corn Marketing Program approved $100,000; the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program approved $200,000; The Andersons, Inc. Endowment through OARDC approved $100,000; Luckey Farmers, Inc. approved $15,000; and an additional $50,000 from The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation as matching funds toward Dr. Dayton’s CIG submission. 

Thank you to our OABA members who have donated to this cause so far – your contribution is much appreciated!

• Deerfield Farms Service, Inc.
• Luckey Farmers, Inc.
• Schlessman Seed Co.
• The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation
• Trupointe Cooperative, Inc.

To contribute to this critical research project, please send your letter of commitment as soon as possible to Elizabeth Dayton at Dayton.15@osu.edu directly, and copy Angela Davis-Haines at ahaines@oaba.net so we can ensure your contribution is matched by The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation.

To read more about Dr. Dayton’s nutrient management research project, click here.