Join the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) in telling Ohio legislators that soil health matters!
Healthy soil is essential to our future. Soil is the foundation of our food and farm systems and when its health is prioritized, it holds more water, reduces runoff, and protects water quality. Healthy soils also help combat climate change by sequestering carbon and building on-farm resilience to withstand the ever-increasing extreme weather events. Farmers want to take advantage of soil health practices that build soil fertility and reduce their need for fertilizer—keeping more money in their pockets. Ohio policies can help.
That’s why OEFFA, the Ohio Soil Health Initiative, and allies are urging decision-makers to pass House Bill 568, which would create a Healthy Soils Task Force to develop a comprehensive healthy soils initiative for Ohio.
In just a few minutes, you can email your Ohio legislators to let them know how important soil health is to Ohio—and that you want support for this vital piece of legislation!
📣Take action now!
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As a commitment to healthy, productive soils, Representatives Juanita Brent (D-22) and Bill Dean (R-71) have proposed House Bill 568, a bill that would create a Healthy Soils Task Force. The Task Force would help our state's farmers capitalize on the economic and production benefits of healthy soils while improving Ohio's water quality and carbon sequestration capacity.
This proposed bill would be the first step toward ensuring Ohio agriculture remains viable for future generations.
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The Healthy Soils Task Force would be made up of 17 members, including farmers and representatives from environmental organizations, soil and water conservation districts, farm organizations, and sustainable agriculture organizations. Together they would work to:
Identify achievable goals and timelines for soil health improvement in Ohio;
Examine issues farmers face in accessing research, education, and technical assistance;
Explore options for financial incentives to improve soil health;
Research the contribution of livestock to soil health; and
Consult with agencies and organizations like the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Ohio State University, and the Soil Health Institute.
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Lauren Hirtle: lauren@oeffa.org | (614) 725-0903