News
Ohio nearing deadline for fertilizer certification compliance
Ohio farmers have until the end of September to obtain their commercial fertilizer application certification.
Ohio law requires farmers who spread fertilizer on fifty acres or more to complete a course on fertilizer application. When the law was passed in 2014, it provided a three year window – which ends this September – for farmers to comply.
Farmers who spread fertilizer on fifty acres or more are required by Ohio law to complete a course on fertilizer application. David Daniels, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture says about 12,000 Ohio farmers have completed the training.
“We believe that there are probably between 6 and 10 thousand more people that need to get certified before the deadline this fall,” says Daniels.
Daniels says the course provides farmers with several benefits.
“Ninety-three percent of the farmers who have taken the course said it improved their knowledge of nutrient application, and nearly everybody said they learned something through that certification process that helps them with their production practices, saves them money, and helps them through environmental stewardship” says Daniels.
Classes continue to be offered – but farmers who apply commercial fertilizer after the September 30th deadline, without certification, could be fined or face criminal charges.
Add Comment