4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship
“Doing RIGHT today, 4R Tomorrow!”
www.4RTomorrow.org
Ohio SWCDs are Working Together to Improve the Quality of
Life for All Ohioans!
*Photo provided by the United Soybean Board
Agriculture is Being Challenged
•Population growth will continue to
increase demands on production
efficiency
•Increased scrutiny related to land and
resource management
4R Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Growing Population & Demand
•Population increase of 2 billion people by 2050
•Production demand met by intensified
production, not increased land use
•Seed industry predicts 3-4% yield growth
per year
•Require optimal fertilizer inputs for greatest
success
4R Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Increased Scrutiny of Land and
Resource Management
•Negative headlines affecting public opinion
•EPA aggressively pursuing rulemaking affecting agriculture
•Environmental organizations litigating to force regulatory action
4R Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
What EPA Has Been Saying...
•There are 14,000 nutrient related surface
water impairment listings in 49 states
•Over 47 percent of streams contain medium to
high levels of N and P
4R Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Row Crop N & P Contributions to the
Gulf of Mexico & the Chesapeake Bay
4R Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
What EPA Has Been Saying...
EPA says “ALL MAJOR SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS MUST BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR
CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROBLEMS”
4R Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Responding to the Challenges
4R Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
4R Tomorrow Program
Goal: Educate and engage all water quality stakeholders to
reduce the amount of excess nutrients making its way into
Ohio waterways
Key Themes:
•Agriculture has a role.
•Urban community members have a role.
•All stakeholders must do their parts to reach our common
goal: better water quality in Ohio.
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Target Audiences
Agricultural
•Crop Farmers
•Livestock Farmers
•Fertilizer Dealers and Custom Applicators
Urban
•Homeowners
•Lawn Care Industry
•Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities
•Developers
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Key Messages ---Agriculture
•Challenging time for agriculture
•Farmers must step up and show they are part of the
solution
•4R Nutrient Stewardship
Right source
Right rate
Right time
Right place
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Framework 4 management systems & education based on basic
universal scientific principles
1. Supply in plant available forms
2. Suit soil properties
3. Recognize synergisms among
elements
4. Blend compatibility
1. Assess timing of crop uptake
2. Assess dynamics of soil nutrient
supply
3. Recognize timing of weather factors
4. Evaluate logistics of operations
1. Appropriately assess soil nutrient
supply
2. Assess all available indigenous
nutrient sources
3. Assess plant demand
4. Predict fertilizer use efficiency
1. Recognize root-soil dynamics
2. Manage spatial variability
3. Fit needs of tillage system
4. Limit potential off-field transport
Slide from IPNI
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Implementing a 4R Plan
1. Identify economic, social, & environmental goals that
cropping system objectives should address
2. Select site specific BMPs to address goals
3. Integrate BMPs for all goals and adjust
4. Document the plan
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Example Goals
Source
Select appropriate fertilizer nutrient source, consider fertilizer form,
consider enhanced eff. fertilizers
Rate
Grid or zone soil testing for rates, nutrient budgeting to plan management
and application, address spatial variability; in season methods for in season
decisions
Time
Follow recommended times for nutrient applications, split apps to improve
uptake, enhanced eff. fertilizers
Place
Utilize app. methods that limit losses, incorporate fertilizers, couple apps.
with appropriate soil conservation
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Key Messages: Urban
Agriculture is just one source of nutrients that cause algae blooms
Urban sources of excess nutrients include lawn and landscape fertilizers and
municipal discharge
Homeowners and businesses can make a difference by practicing backyard
conservation:
Using the right fertilizer source at the right rate, right time, and right
placement (the 4R principles)
Mowing
Watering and water retention
Mulching
Keeping debris off of hard surfaces and out of storm drains
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
The 4R Tomorrow Team
The 4R Tomorrow Team will be comprised of individuals who
want to do the right things in our environment in order to
keep our natural resources sustainable and vibrant for
tomorrow. This team will be working hand-in-hand to
educate conservation best management practices in an
effort to keep our soils productive, our waters clean, and our
future bright!
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
The 4R Tomorrow Team
The 4R Tomorrow team’s focus is Doing RIGHT today, 4R Tomorrow! Members
will sign a pledge form made available by the SWCDs, and receive a membership
card & other materials to encourage continued participation in the 4R Nutrient
Stewardship program and the 4R Tomorrow Team.
The Pledge Form asks the member to commit to the following:
I “RESOLVE” to be a part of the solution!
I am “READY” to be a part of the solution!
I am willing to “REGISTER” to be a part of the solution!
I am able to “REACH” out to others to be a part of the
solution!
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
4R Tomorrow District Tool Kit
List of tool kit elements
4R Tomorrow FAQ Sheet, SWCD District Focused
4R Tomorrow FAQ Sheet, Producer / Farmer Focused
4R Tomorrow FAQ Sheet, General Public Focused
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management Talking Points
4R Nutrient Stewardship Management Brochure
4R Tomorrow Team “I Resolve” pledge form
Sample News Release, Program Kick-Off Announcement
Sample News Release, Fair Announcement
Sample News Release, Farmers & Homeowners Working Together
Sample News Release, 4R Tomorrow Year End Success
Sample Letter to the Editor
4R Tomorrow Powerpoint
Farmer Breakfast Workshop Template
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Next Steps
Farmer Action Plan
•Plan for a 4R Nutrient Stewardship outreach through a
“Farmer Breakfast,” tour, cover crop workshop or other
potential venue where 4R Nutrient Stewardship strategies
can be discussed.
Media Outreach
•Use the media templates to announce program and share
the 4R Tomorrow Team Information to encourage
individuals to get involved. Additional tools such as Public
Service Announcements and other radio spots will be made
available to reach additional audiences as well!
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Next Steps
Social Media
•Use Social Media tools such as Facebook or Twitter to
promote program, workshop and events geared towards
the 4R Nutrient Stewardship and Backyard Conservation
Programs. Highlight the importance of becoming a member
of the 4R Tomorrow Team – as we are “Doing RIGHT today,
4R Tomorrow!
Fairs, Festivals, School & other District Events
•Use the brochure and other outreach tools at events to
share the message in an effort to get individuals interested
and involved!
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
The RIGHT Time for Nutrient
Stewardship is RIGHT Now!
Questions?
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org
Resources
The Fertilizer Institute
http://www.tfi.org/
International Plant Nutrition Institute
http://ipni.org/
Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/
NRCS
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/landuse/?cid=STELPRDB1046217
OFSWCD
http://www.ofswcd.org
Ohio Soybean Council
http://www.soyohio.org
ODNR, Division of Soil and Water Resources
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/soilandwater
4R Tomorrow Nutrient Stewardship Management
www.4RTomorrow.org