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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
November 20, 2025




*MEDIA CONTACTS:
*Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Lauren Niner: 614-644-0957






*Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio Initiative Now Covers More than Half of the Cropland Acres in Northwest Ohio;
2.5 Million Acres Enrolled Statewide *

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Brian Baldridge announced today the highest acreage of farmland enrollment in H2Ohio to date. Now, 2.5 million acres of farmland statewide are enrolled in H2Ohio. In northwest Ohio alone, H2Ohio practices are now being implemented on 2 million acres, which is more than 50% of the cropland in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB).

“It’s clear that Ohio’s farmers, particularly those in northwest Ohio, understand the importance of H2Ohio,” said Governor DeWine. “We will continue to do all we can to improve water quality in Lake Erie and across the state.”

According to new statewide H2Ohio enrollment data, nearly all H2Ohio producers who were previously enrolled (95%) decided to re-enroll their acres or add more of their farmland acres into the program. H2Ohio also saw a 16% increase in new enrollment, with nearly 300 new producers enrolling into H2Ohio for the first time.

H2Ohio is Governor DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, including in Lake Erie.

Farmers play a significant role in reducing nutrients that can run off their fields and into waterways, which is a major contributing factor to harmful algal blooms. Through H2Ohio, farmers can choose to enroll their farmland acres into proven best management practices that are designed to reduce nutrient runoff, improve soil health, and ultimately, improve water quality. If best management practices are implemented correctly, farmers can earn an incentive to help offset the costs of using new equipment, innovative technology, and other conservation techniques that are required.

ODA continues to measure H2Ohio’s progress through different metrics such as estimating the amount of nutrient, specifically phosphorus, that is not placed on fields and prevented from running off. Based on the number of acres and types of best management practices enrolled this year, ODA estimates farmers are reducing approximately 550,000 pounds of phosphorus from their fields.

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Graphic showing phosphorus reduction progress from 2021 to 2025 [ [link removed] ]
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“This is a real testament to the hard work and dedication of Ohio’s farmers,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “They’ve stepped up in a big way to be part of the solution by participating in H2Ohio year after year. This benchmark is proof that farmers are invested in the health of our water and soil, and they continue to show what good stewardship really looks like.”

Producers will continue to develop and implement a Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan (VNMP), the cornerstone practice for H2Ohio and a requirement to participate in the program. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are working closely with producers, crop consultants, and agricultural retailers to develop VNMPs for the next two years. VNMPs can help assess and reduce the risks of agricultural nutrient runoff associated with nutrient application. 

For more information on the H2Ohio initiative, please visit h2.ohio.gov [ [link removed] ].

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