In 1999, Ohio State University (OSU) Extension, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency created a new watershed initiative to help Ohio communities deal with the upcoming Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Storm-water Phase II regulatory programs. Ohio Extension watershed staff, hearing of NEMO through the Land Grant University network, came to Connecticut in 1999 to learn more about the program. The meeting resulted in an Ohio NEMO Program, and a training workshop held in spring of 2000.

Ohio NEMO is led by OSU Extension, but involves many partner organizations and agencies. Initial funding, which came from the USDA Water Quality Program, has now been replaced by funding that OSU Extension receives from the Ohio Watershed Initiative. A recent grant from NOAA is focused on increasing NEMO programming in the Great Lakes region, and cements additional partnerships with the Ohio Coastal Management Program and Ohio Sea Grant. The state NEMO Coordinator oversees a multi-level educational program that involves five OSU Extension Watershed Agents, as well as running workshops for partner agency personnel that have trained 80 professional staff in the presentation of NEMO materials to local officials. These trainees then work directly with local officials and watershed groups on stormwater management and other land use planning and natural resource issues. NEMO also conducts statewide topical workshops. For example, one featuring the national nonprofit Center for Watershed Protection, a NEMO Network partner, was attended by 65 OSU students and 145 water and planning professionals. NEMO presentations, publications and other educational materials are available on the program's extensive website.

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