Ohio Awards $6M to Preserve Farmland

By Andi Anderson

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has unveiled plans to allocate $6 million to preserve farmland across the state. Nine land trusts, seven counties or townships, and 25 Soil and Water Conservation Districts are set to receive funding to aid in the conservation effort. These organizations will utilize allocations from the Clean Ohio Fund for the Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP) to secure, finalize, and supervise easements.

Several notable recipients include the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District, granted $120,655; the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District, slated to receive $178,177; and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, serving Crawford, Holmes, Huron, and Medina counties, granted $230,690.

Landowners in Ohio interested in selling agricultural easements on their farms can apply through their LAEPP sponsor organization. This funding round aims to make $6 million accessible for preservation efforts. Certified local sponsors are available in 51 counties to facilitate the application process. Those considering applying should reach out to the certified local sponsor in their county for detailed application information.

The initiative empowers landowners to voluntarily sell easements to the state, ensuring that their farms remain dedicated to agricultural production indefinitely. The selected farms must meet specific criteria, including a minimum size of 40 acres, active farming engagement, participation in the Current Agricultural Use Valuation program, responsible land stewardship practices, local government support, and avoidance of direct development impact. While landowners have the flexibility to allocate the easement proceeds as they desire, reinvestment in their farm operations is encouraged.

Funding for this program originates from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, authorized by voters in 2008. With the combined impact of easements from various programs, 704 family farms across 62 counties have collectively conserved over 105,000 acres for agricultural purposes.

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