Funding available to Ohio farmers to reduce runoff

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - The U.S. agriculture department says more money is available to help farmers in northwestern Ohio in an effort to cut down on pollution that feeds Lake Erie’s algae blooms.

The new round of funding is part of a five-year, $17.5 million program.

Livestock farmers in Ohio will receive priority for the funding to help them comply with new laws on storing manure.

Farmers in Michigan and Indiana also will be getting some of the money to reduce the pollutants that wash away from the fields and help the algae thrive.

Ohio’s share will be just over $12 million. State leaders say that should help put conservation efforts into about 45,000 acres.