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Growing Participation, Growing Impact: H2Ohio Fall Update

By Jordan Keller

Happy Harvest Season! The deadline for H2Ohio participation in Crop Years 2026-2027 was September 15th, 2025. I am pleased to report that we have enrolled 40 producers with 31,367.8 acres through the Richland SWCD office. This is roughly a 45% increase from initial acreage enrollment numbers in 2021! Approximately 2,800 acres were added on the September 15th deadline, making for a sprint to the finish line.

Next, we will be working with crop advisors and ag retailers to develop our H2Ohio participants 2026/2027 nutrient management plans by uploading soil test data and cropping information onto the MyFarms platform.

I am currently working on wrapping up 2025 H2Ohio practice verifications as we make the transition to the 2026/2027 contracts.

Graphic with H two Ohio enrollment data. 40 producers are enrolled equating to 31,367 acres of land.

ODA Cover Crop Demonstration Plot

With assistance from ODA and cooperation from a local producer, Richland SWCD will be doing a cover crop demonstration plot after harvest in 2025. We plan on hitting two cover crop seeding windows across an ~25’ x 350’ area. The first seeding window started on Sept. 21. On Sept. 23rd we broadcasted a rye/oat mix.

Between Oct. 4– Nov. 1 we will be broadcasting straight rye. Cover crop rates and seeding dates reference NRCS appendix A. The goal of the demonstration is to gain a better understanding of the overall impact of NRCS cover crop seeding dates across Ohio.

Jordan walking through a field broadcasting rye and oat seeds with a hand spreader.
Jordan broadcasting rye and oat seeds
Close up of the field freshly sown with rye and oats.
Sowed rye and oat seeds
Photo of Jordan Keller, District Technician. His bio reads "Jordan grew up in Shelby and now lives in Mansfield with his wife, two children and Basenji. He’s passionate about plants, insects and water quality. He enjoys being outdoors; hiking, gardening and playing with his kids."