COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio farmers participating in the state’s H2Ohio conservation program could soon earn additional income through a new partnership between the Ohio Department of Agriculture and agricultural technology company Indigo Ag.
State officials say the initiative combines public conservation efforts with private investment to reward farmers for environmental stewardship while continuing to improve Ohio’s water quality.
Governor Mike DeWine announced the partnership, saying it strengthens the state’s ongoing commitment to protecting waterways while supporting Ohio’s agricultural industry.
More than 3,200 farmers across Ohio currently participate in the H2Ohio program, which encourages conservation practices that reduce nutrient runoff, improve soil health and help protect rivers, streams and lakes.
Many of those same farming practices also capture and store carbon in the soil.
Under the new agreement, Indigo Ag will verify eligible conservation practices already being implemented through H2Ohio. The company will then convert the stored carbon into carbon credits that can be sold to businesses looking to meet sustainability and environmental goals.
The additional revenue generated from those carbon credits will provide participating farmers with another source of income without requiring major changes to practices they already have in place.
Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge said the partnership recognizes farmers for their conservation efforts while strengthening the long-term success of the H2Ohio program.
Honda, which operates several manufacturing facilities in Ohio, is helping support the initiative as part of the company’s environmental sustainability efforts. Company officials say the program benefits both agriculture and the environment by promoting healthy soils and reducing carbon emissions.
Indigo Ag representatives said the collaboration demonstrates how conservation practices can create both environmental and economic benefits for Ohio’s farming communities.
Launched in 2019, H2Ohio is a statewide initiative aimed at improving water quality, reducing harmful algal blooms and protecting drinking water resources. While the agricultural program initially focused on northwest Ohio and the Lake Erie watershed, it has since expanded to additional regions across the state.
