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Katie Myers
Countryside Conservancy

The Nominator: Stephanie Webb

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization and what are the triple bottom line benefits (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
Katie envision & established a pilot project in Baughman Township in Wayne County called M.A.N.U.R.E. (Manure Agreements, Nutrient Utilization & the Rural Economy). This program was designed to help farms with an abundance of manure to place a dollar value on this product based on the nutrient content. The farmers then make it available to other farmers in the region looking for manure to use as amendments for their fields.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
This project helps divert manure from the waste stream, and turns it into a usable commodity, spurring additional economic activity and keeping money in the rural economy. It also creates a product that meets a demand for nutrients for farmers without animals, and could supplement or potentially replace chemical fertilizers in some cases.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
This project is a partnership between the Countryside Conservancy, Wayne Economic Development Council, Wayne Soil & Water Conservation District & The Ohio State University`s Center for Farmland Policy Innovation. Katie is actively engaged in farm and food issues throughout sixteen counties in NEO, and serves on the Governor`s Food Policy Council and the Council`s Agriculture Viability Task Force.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Katie is creative -- she inspires people to think about ways they can reduce/divert waste. With this project, she has created a business model that can be replicated in other areas. She is helping create a viable & sensible solution to somewhat challenging situation.