Briefs: Local farmers invited to join water quality efforts

Mansfield News Journal
·2 min read
News in brief

USDA and State of Ohio continue conservation successes

COLUMBUS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Ohio are continuing a partnership through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to assist Ohio farmers and agricultural landowners in improving water quality and conserving other natural resources.

The Ohio Lake Erie CREP and Scioto River Watershed CREP expand the voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs available to Ohio agricultural producers and focuses on the Lake Erie and Scioto River watersheds.

Through these two agreements, federal and state resources are made available to program participants to voluntarily enroll in 14- to 15-year contracts. Participants remove cropland and marginal pastureland from agricultural production and convert the land to grasses, trees or other approved vegetation. This will improve water quality by reducing sediment, nutrients, nitrogen and other pollutants from entering streams and rivers and enhance wildlife habitat in the project area. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance.

Richland County is among 27 counties that make up the Ohio Lake Erie CREP and one of 31 counties that are part of the Ohio Scioto River Watershed CREP.

For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov/oh.

Patrol warns against driving impaired for New Year’s holiday

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Highway Patrol is urging drivers who intend to watch football and celebrate the new year to plan ahead and designate a sober driver. The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.

The New Year’s holiday reporting period began Friday at midnight and ends on Monday at 11:59 p.m.

During the four-day 2021-2022 New Year’s reporting period, there were 12 fatal crashes that killed 12 people. Of those, alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in six fatal crashes, while speed played a role in two. Of the eight fatalities in which seat belts were available, five were unbelted. Four pedestrians were killed during the holiday period.

Richland Academy of the Arts spring registration begins

Richland Academy of the Arts Spring Registration is open for all group classes and private lessons. Year-round class offerings include line drawing, musical theatre, Piano Pals and Improv Olympics. There are returning class favorites including creative movement, martial arts and adult ballet and salsa. There are classes for all ages from birth to 60-plus.

Richland Academy of The Arts also offers a tuition assistance program and is an approved Ohio Department of Education Service Provider with the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Program.

For more information or to register for classes, go to richlandacademy.com or call 419-523-8224.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County farmers eligible to enroll now in two CREP programs