White House honors Vollmer-Sanders as 'Champion of Change'

The White House recently honored Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, who helped with the formation of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, which is administered by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association on behalf of the Nutrient Stewardship Council.

Vollmer-Sanders, director of the Western Lake Erie Basin Project for The Nature Conservancy, was honored as a “Champion of Change” for her efforts to promote a healthy Lake Erie by working with farmers, agribusinesses, researchers, government agencies and conservation groups to improve nutrient management and drainage practices through the use of 4R Nutrient Management. President Obama created the Champions of Change program as an opportunity to feature individuals doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities.

With the help of Vollmer-Sanders, the voluntary, third-party certification program was formed to recognize farmers’ fertilizer and crop advisers for their efforts in improving water quality through the use of site specific, science-based best management practices. The program was made possible through the support of The Fertilizer Institute, The Andersons, Morral Companies, The Nature Conservancy, the Joyce Foundation, the Great Lakes Protection Fund and the Mosaic Company Foundation.

“Ensuring that 4R Nutrient Stewardship has the maximum positive impact will require the active engagement of a diverse set of stakeholders,” said TFI President Chris Jahn. “Carrie has been an instrumental force in bringing the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification program to fruition. We are most appreciative for her work and for TFI’s growing partnership with TNC.”

Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy, Vollmer-Sanders served as the agricultural ecology specialist for Michigan Farm Bureau. She farms with her husband and two sons in northwest Ohio and lives in Angola, Ind.