Max Underhill 's Farm Supply Ltd
Celebrating 55 years of Excellence in 2025
4R Nutrient Stewardship in Processing Vegetables
​The 4R Certification Program is a voluntary program for Nutrient Service Providers, which include agricultural retailers, agricultural service provides, and certified professionals. The 4R Certification program translates 4R Nutrient Stewardship into a set of auditable criteria. To become 4R Certified, a Nutrient Service Provider must complete a third-party audit every two years to maintain certification. The Agri-Chemical Warehouse Standards Association (AWSA) is the third-party audit body conducting the 4R Certification Program audits in Canada.
The 4R Certification program evaluates retailers on sustainable 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices in the areas of training & education, nutrient recommendations & nutrient application, and documentation.
The 4R Certification program was first brought to Canada through the implementation of the program in Ontario in close collaboration with the Nutrient Stewardship Council, the Ohio Agri-Business Association and The Fertilizer Institute in the U.S. to ensure alignment between cross-border efforts.
The Ontario 4R Certification program complements an existing program of the same name in Ohio. Together, agri-retailers and farmers from both sides of the border will work in tandem to reduce agricultural impacts to the environment while increasing their crop productivity. The goal of the program in Ontario is to:
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optimize crop uptake of nutrients and minimize nutrient losses;
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create long-term positive impacts on water bodies associated with agricultural production areas, including the reduction of eutrophication and incidence of harmful algal blooms, and helping to meet water quality standards;
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encourage sharing of the most up-to-date information about responsible nutrient stewardship with Nutrient Service Providers, growers, and other interested groups; and
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help the agricultural sector adapt to new research and technology in the area of nutrient stewardship.
The Ontario agriculture industry is committed to working towards the long term improvement of the Great Lakes water quality. By supporting the need to protect and restore the ecological health of the Great Lakes, we are committed to being a part of the solution to ensuring the Great Lakes remain “drinkable, swimmable and fishable.” The industry recognizes the potential for regulations, the importance of environmental stewardship and its role in ensuring the proper use of fertilizer.