Ashland SWCD Offers New Stewardship Certification Program for Farmers
Labels matter, whether you’re looking for food that’s organic or locally grown or products that are manufactured in the USA. That’s why Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is offering a new conservation stewardship program so that local farmers can be recognized for their conservation efforts.
“For years we have recognized out outstanding soil and water cooperator of the year at our soil and water banquet, but there are always so many other farmers who are deserving of recognition, too,” said Jane Houin, Ashland SWCD director. “Our board has worked hard to put in place an objective tool to measure conservation stewardship and to reward our farmers for their efforts to protect the soil and water resources of Ashland County.”
The program has three levels of certification. Silver level certification is available for farmers who actively participate in at least one of the district’s conservation programs, whether that be by seeding cover crops, using no-till management in their farm fields, installing livestock stream exclusion fencing or any number of conservation programs.
To move up to a gold level certification, farmers need to enroll their field in the district’s free Fieldprint calculator for a conservation assessment. Developed by Field to Market, the Fieldprint calculator objectively measures and provides feedback on individual farms’ sustainability performance. Data can be inputted directly into the calculator, or the calculator also integrates with several farm-management software platforms to use data farmers are already collecting.
“Once that data is entered into the Fieldprint calculator, farmers will have access to the industry’s most widely accepted, objective sustainability measurement,” Houin said. The tool takes into account biodiversity, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, irrigation water use, land use, soil carbon, soil conservation and water quality.
“Farmers will have an objective look at their farm’s sustainability and compare their numbers to both state and national benchmarks,” Houin said. “The assessment gives a fresh look on ways farmers can improve their sustainability and opens the door to conversations with our soil and water staff on ways that can improve conservation and sustainability on their farm in ways that make good economic sense for their operations.”
The highest stewardship certification level available through the program is platinum; that level is reserved for farmers who show a year-over-year improvement on their sustainability metrics in the Fieldprint calculator’s assessment.
“No farm is perfect when it comes to sustainability and improvement—there’s always room for improvement,” Houin said. “We really want to recognize those farmers who are working on making those improvements with our highest, platinum-level certification. Their hard work at improving their own on-farm sustainability and protecting our local soil and water resources is something worth celebrating.”
Houin said the certification program is designed to recognize farmer’s efforts first and foremost, but is also provides new opportunities for farmers. By participating in the Fieldprint platform, farmers can connect with incentive opportunities with retailers and food processors interested in partnering with farmers to meet their corporate sustainability goals. And, farmers who sell direct to consumer can use their certification as a marketing tool in their operation.
Houin hopes that many of the farmers who will be participating in the district’s new Farmers’ Basket Markets throughout the summer in Loudonville will participate in the program as well. For more information on the certification process or the farm market opportunities can contact Katie Eikleberry at 419-281-7645.