EAST BERLIN, PA — Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced major updates to the state’s fertilizer law on Thursday. Joined by legislators, industry associations, and business leaders at Cashman’s Hardware Store in Adams County, Redding outlined the changes designed to reduce pollution in the state’s waterways and promote cost savings for residents through more informed fertilizer use.
The revised legislation, signed by Governor Shapiro in 2023, introduces new requirements for homeowners and other residents applying fertilizer to their lawns. These changes are aimed at achieving clearer product labeling, reducing the risk of over-fertilization, and keeping Pennsylvania on track to meet its environmental commitments, particularly those related to the Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.
Secretary Redding emphasized the dual benefits of the updated law, highlighting its role in fostering both environmental stewardship and economic efficiency. “By expanding this responsibility to all who are using and applying fertilizer, we are creating healthier soils and water in the Commonwealth,” Redding noted, pointing to the potential savings from understanding and implementing proper nutrient management practices.
The law mandates that homeowners familiarize themselves with and adhere to specified nutrient application rate limits, location restrictions, and best management practices. The goal is to curb the excessive use of fertilizers which can lead to environmental degradation and unnecessary expenses for residents. Specifically, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has raised concerns about the impact of nutrient runoff on drinking water quality and aquatic life, underscoring the broader implications of fertilizer misuse.
To address these challenges, the updated Fertilizer Law enhances consumer education, requiring clearer labels on fertilizer products that detail instructions for proper use, alongside best practices for handling, storage, and disposal. Additionally, the law calls for improved reporting mechanisms to monitor fertilizer usage and ensure compliance with environmental objectives.
Supporting the legislative overhaul is a comprehensive consumer awareness campaign spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry. Collaborating with partners such as Penn State Extension, the State Conservation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, the initiative seeks to equip residents with the knowledge and resources needed for effective and environmentally friendly fertilizer application.
Industry representatives have lauded the updates, noting the potential for healthier lawns and cleaner waterways as a result of better-informed fertilizer use. “Educating consumers on the proper way to apply lawn fertilizer and at appropriate rates will not only protect our water quality in Pennsylvania but will result in a healthier lawn,” said Gregg Robertson of the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association.
With these revisions, Pennsylvania takes a significant step forward in balancing the demands of agricultural productivity and environmental conservation. By empowering homeowners with the knowledge to use fertilizers judiciously, the state aims to mitigate the adverse effects of nutrient runoff, protecting its rivers, streams, and the larger watershed areas they feed into. This legislative update reflects a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of human activities and natural ecosystems, underscoring the importance of informed and sustainable practices in everyday lawn care.
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