4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program

Resources
Program Auditors

AWSA has partnered with Fertilizer Canada to coordinate and manage auditing activities for the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program.

Background

In 2015 a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed between Fertilizer Canada, the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Food Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the Ontario Agri-Business Association. This formalized a commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental action in the province. The Ontario MOC mandates to implement, maintain and evaluate 4R Nutrient Stewardship programming to meet the needs of the government, farm groups, industry, and conservation groups. With a common commitment to improving the long-term quality of Lake Erie and the Great Lakes basin, the 4R Ontario Steering Committee is developing and implementing a 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification program for Ontario agri-retailers. 

4R Certification

This new, voluntary 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program encourages agricultural retailers, service providers and other certified professionals to adopt proven best practices through the 4Rs, which refers to using the Right Source of nutrients at the Right Rate and Right Time in the Right Place.

Implementation

The Ontario 4R Certification program was published on April 1, 2018, and implementation commenced in the Fall of 2018.

Visit our 4R Certification toolkit to find out more about becoming 4R Certified.