The Ohio Department of Agriculture announced approval for local sponsors to purchase agricultural easements on 37 family farms representing 3,701 acres in 29 counties. 

Local sponsoring organizations, which include land trusts, counties and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, receive funding from the Clean Ohio Fund to manage the Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP). The easement ensures farms remain permanently in agricultural production. The program supports the state’s largest industry, food and agriculture.

To be eligible for the program, farms must be larger than 40 acres or next to a preserved farm, actively engaged in farming, participate in the Current Agricultural Use Valuation program, demonstrate good stewardship of the land, have support from local government and not be in close proximity to development. Landowners may use the proceeds of the easement in any way they wish, but most reinvest it in their farm operation.  

Funding for the state’s farmland preservation efforts is derived from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, approved by voters in 2008, and used to purchase agricultural easements from willing sellers through a competitive process. From 2002 to 2022, 589 family farms in 61 counties have collectively preserved 91,507 acres in agricultural production. Permanent easements preserved under related programs bring the total acres currently preserved in Ohio to over 102,000.

For more information go to: https://agri.ohio.gov/programs/farmland-preservation-office/home

Note to Editors: Below is the list of counties where 2022 agricultural easements have been approved by the department.

ODA 2022 Local Agricultural Easements Approved for Purchase

Allen

Auglaize

Champaign

Clark

Clinton

Coshocton

Darke

Delaware

Fairfield

Fayette

Fulton

Greene

Harrison

Highland

Huron

Knox

Licking

Logan

Madison

Marion

Miami

Montgomery

Morrow

Muskingum

Preble

Ross

Seneca

Union

Warren