Includes Funding for Water Quality and Nutrient Management Programs

The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) applauds the recent passage of the state budget that includes beneficial tax policy changes for farmers, as well as long-term, financial support for water quality and nutrient management programs. OSA’s farmer leaders have been working at the Statehouse throughout the process to ensure its members’ voices are heard.

“We thank the Ohio House, Ohio Senate and Gov. DeWine’s Administration for working with all stakeholders to address water quality,” said Trish Cunningham, OSA Policy Committee Chair. “Water quality has been a high priority for our organization for many years and we believe that H2Ohio is a step in the right direction. I’m also proud to see tax policies that will benefit family farmers who have been hit especially hard this year due to the weather and crop prices.”

The over $200 million H2Ohio fund will be used for agricultural, community and nature water projects to address water quality. In addition to H2Ohio, the budget also includes support for soil and water conservation districts in the Western Lake Erie Basin and funding for the Healthy Lake Erie program to promote 4R nutrient stewardship practices.

Additionally, OSA supported the following:

• Clarification and expansion of qualified immunity related to existing nuisance protection laws
• Increase from three to four years the amount of time that soil test results are valid for purposes of inclusion in a voluntary nutrient management plan approved by ODA
• Friendlier tax policies toward small businesses