h2Ohio Agriculture FAQs
Which counties are included as part of the H2Ohio program?
In 2020, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is rolling out H2Ohio programs in the following 14 counties:Williams, Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert, Mercer, Fulton, Henry, Putnam, Allen, Auglaize, Lucas, Wood, Hancock, and Hardin.
What is the timing for the H2Ohio programs?
Where do I enroll for the H2Ohio program?
Do I have to be certified to get funding?
If I’m already enrolled in certain programs, am I eligible for H2Ohio funding?
Yes, you can be eligible for H2Ohio funding if enrolled in other conservation programs with the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service or other conservation partners; however, you cannot enroll the same acres with the same practice.
Will H2Ohio money be available for equipment for these practices?
How many acres need to be enrolled in H2Ohio best practices to achieve a 40% reduction?
Will my application data be made public or kept confidential?
Information gathered in the H2Ohio process is protected by law from disclosure. To enroll in H2Ohio, producers will be requested to participate in the Ohio Agricultural Certification Program. Farm information provided to participate in the certification program will be kept confidential and only aggregated at a county or watershed basis. Like other state conservation programs where Ohio dollars are provided to fund best management practices, general information is sometimes requested by the state to assure eligibility.
Is there going to be a cap to the funding a producer may receive?
Why should I sign up for the H2Ohio program?
The H2Ohio program provides education, financial resources, tools, and in-field assistance to identify and implement conservation practices. H2Ohio dollars will also fund research into new conservation practices to reduce phosporus runoff and harmful algal blooms.
What is the relationship between H2Ohio and OACI?
For farmers earning certification, H2Ohio funds will be available for continuous improvement in the implementation of conservation and nutrient management practices. Those not meeting the minimum criteria for certification will be given tools to create an action plan to become certified and will be eligible for H2Ohio funds to support their work.