12/10/2019

Nutrient Stewardship Council Announces Updates to 4R Nutrient Standard

The enhancements include greater transparency, efficiency for participants

The Nutrient Stewardship Council is pleased to announce updates to the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program Standard requirements, to incorporate up-to-date research, technology and best management practices; and create greater transparency and efficiency for program participants.

For more than five years, the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program has been operating in the Western Lake Erie Basin. In January 2017, the program was expanded to the full state of Ohio. 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 and waterways throughout Ohio.

The program supplies educational, nutrient recommendation and application, and 4R monitoring requirements to nutrient service providers, which are phased in during an initial three-year audit cycle. Program participants are audited annually by an independent, third-party auditor.

Please select this link to read the press release from Ohio Agribusiness Association.