Seeking solutions to natural resource challenges while improving agricultural operations, the USDA's NRCS has opened up applications for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. This year, funded CIGs will focus on climate-smart strategies for water resources, soil health, nutrient management, grazing lands conservation and strategies to increase conservation adoption.

Increasing soil rental rates, boosting incentive payments for continuous CRP and water quality practices, and establishing a CRP Grassland minimum rental rate are just three ways USDA is seeking to convince more farmers to sign up for conservation programs.

The index has significant water quality implications statewide, considering that misapplied phosphorus has a high likelihood of degradation Ohio’s surface water and is a major contributor to harmful algal blooms, experts say.