Ohio State’s Waterman Agriculture and Natural Resources Laboratory in the heart of Columbus is transforming into a learning laboratory of environmental efforts.
With an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant, the working farm is the site of several progressive projects ranging from watershed repair to stream rehabilitation to nutrient management.
Phase I of the project, which began earlier this summer, is expected to annually reduce 122 pounds of nitrogen, 60 pounds of phosphorus and 21 tons of sediments. Phase II slated to begin this fall.
The project not only demonstrates common conservation practices for farmers, industry, students and passersby, but it also demonstrates Ohio State’s commitment to be a leader in water quality improvement through effective whole farm management practices.
Partners include Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District; Ohio Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO), a nonpoint source pollution education program of Ohio State University Extension; Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed; Ohio EPA; Ohio Department of Natural Resources; the Franklin County office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
For more information, log on to http://extension.osu.edu/news-releases/ohio-epa-awards-nearly-200-000-for-sustainability-efforts-on-osu-farm-research-facility.