Advancing Markets for Rural and Urban Producers in Ohio

Enhancing soil nutrient availability for optimum farm outputs

Central State University (CSU), in partnership with The Ohio State University (OSU), has been awarded a $4.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to implement the Advancing Markets for the Producers (AMP) Initiative (formerly the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Program). 
 

Program overview

The AMP initiative is an integrated approach for enhancing vegetable crop producers’ productivity and profitability.

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The AMP initiative is designed to enhance soil nutrient availability and optimize farm productivity by promoting the use of slurry manure based fertilizers as sustainable nutrient sources for vegetable production. The project supports both rural and urban producers across Ohio by integrating conservation-based production practices with expanded market access opportunities.
Through this initiative, participating farmers will be empowered to implement NRCS conservation practices that strengthen farm resilience, improve profitability, and advance environmentally responsible agri-food systems.

Program objectives

The AMP initiative seeks to:

• Compare vegetable production outcomes using slurry manure based fertilizers versus conventional fertilizers
• Evaluate the agronomic and environmental impacts of different nutrient management practices
• Assess the economic performance and market potential of vegetables produced under each system
• Support producer participation in emerging and established agricultural markets 

Who can participate?

Eligible rural, urban, and beginning producers who meet NRCS program requirements are encouraged to apply. For farm businesses, at least 50% ownership must meet eligibility criteria, where applicable.

Participation requirements

To participate, producers must:

• Provide proof of landownership for the duration of the grant.
• Dedicate a minimum of 3,000 square feet of land for a period of three years. 
• Be registered with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and complete necessary forms 
• Provide production records for the previous two growing seasons

Production practices 

All project plots will align with NRCS conservation standards, which may include:

• No till or reduced tillage
• Cover crops, crop rotation, and mulching
• Drip irrigation systems

Farmer Incentives and Support

Participating farmers will receive comprehensive financial, technical, and production support, including:

Financial Incentives

• Land compensation: $1,322 per acre, per year
• Labor assistance: up to $4,848 per acre, per year

Production Inputs and support (valued at approximately $15,000 per acre, per year)

• Vegetable and cover crop seeds or seedlings 
• Lime application
• Fertilizers (slurry-based and conventional) 
• Crop protection
• Irrigation supplies and mulch
• Soil, plant, and manure analysis cost
• Rental equipment, storage, and marketing support
• Access to USDA supported training on production practices and market access 

Technical assistance

• Ongoing technical and educational support from CSU Extension

Farmers who want to learn more about participating can complete an interest form at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/p7uCs6Qk2c

Participate

For more information or questions about the project, contact 

• Dr. Ibrahim Katampe
• Dr. Cindy Folck
• Dr. Raj Shrestha