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LAEPP Documents

 

Reference Materials:

  • Application Processing Reduction Plan (Pilot APRP)

    • The Application Processing Reduction Plan (APRP) was developed to reduce the number of reapplications submitted during each funding round, thereby accelerating the easement review process and is currently being offered on a test basis for some funding rounds.

      Pilot Application Processing Reduction Plan (APRP)

  • Cooperative Agreement

    • Each Certified Local Sponsor signs a Cooperative Agreement with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  The agreement lays out the roles and responsibilities of the parties for the LAEPP landowner application and easement acquisition process.

      Cooperative Agreement (Sample)

  • Deed of Agricultural Easement (Federal)

    • Landowner's receiving some of their funding from the federal government will sign a Federal Deed.

      The sample Deed of Agricultural Easement is a legal agreement between the landowner, Ohio Department of Agriculture and the local sponsor.  The deed is recorded in the county recorder's office and limits the use of the land to predominantly agricultural activity and prohibits the conversion of the land to non-agricultural uses.  The land remains on the tax rolls and under private ownership/management.  Participation is voluntary.  Once the easement is secured, the landowner can sell their farm or pass it along as a gift to others.  The deed is binding on all future owners of the property.

      Deed of Agricultural Easement (Federal Sample)

  • Deed of Agricultural Easement (State) 

    • Landowner's receiving state funding will sign a State Deed.

      The sample Deed of Agricultural Easement is a legal agreement between the landowner, Ohio Department of Agriculture and the local sponsor.  The deed is recorded in the county recorder's office and limits the use of the land to predominantly agricultural activity and prohibits the conversion of the land to non-agricultural uses.  The land remains on the tax rolls and under private ownership/management.  Participation is voluntary.  Once the easement is secured, the landowner can sell their farm or pass it along as a gift to others.  The deed is binding on all future owners of the property.

      Deed of Agricultural Easement (State Sample)

  • Documents to Return to ODA

  • LAEPP Handbook

  • Landowner Application Attachment Samples

  • Landowner Application Checklist

  • Landowner Pre-Application Form Samples (Optional)

  • Local Sponsor Training Materials

  • Mini-Training: ODA Title Work Process

    • Outlines the current title work process, reviews the services that the title agent must be able to provide, discusses what ODA needs from the title agent/local sponsor and other helpful title tips.

      Mini-Training: ODA Title Work Process

  • Mini-Training: Present Condition Report (PCR)

    • Outlines the purpose of, methods, and tips for preparing the Present Condition Report (PCR), which serves as Exhibit B to a Deed of Agricultural Easement. The PCR is prepared by the local sponsor and details the current conditions, structures, etc. at the time the agricultural easement is placed.

  • Pipeline Standards

  • Points-Based Appraisal (PBA) Calculation Worksheet

  • Policies and Guidelines

    • The Policies and Guidelines outlines all of the yearly program requirements which must be met in order for a landowner to apply to the Clean Ohio LAEPP.

  • Process Steps (what to do next?)

    • The Process Steps (what to do next) generally outline what a local sponsors needs to do to secure an easement.  The document includes: a brief summary of a process, appropriate deadlines, prerequisites to initiating a process, tips for completing an easement, a title review checklist and other useful information for a specific funding round.

      Steps (what do I do next?)

  • Purchase Agreement

    • An agreement between the landowner and the department in which the landowner agrees to convey an agricultural easement on certain property to the department for a fixed price.

      Purchase Agreement (Sample)

  • Steps to a Check

    • Outlines items that must be completed prior to requesting a check.

      Steps to a Check

  • Technical Meeting Materials

    • Typically in August Local Sponsors along with potential Local Sponsors meet to discuss the previous year's landowner application round and to begin discussion on the next funding round.

  • Timeline

  • Tips for Completing an Agricultural Conservation Easement

    • The "Tips" document is a companion to the Process Steps (what to do next).  During the beginning stages of securing the easement there is a time where the local sponsors has completed all of the standard/beginning steps: application, Notice of Selection and title work ordered; it is then that the local sponsor needs to evaluate what each easement might need going forward. The "Tips" and Process Steps can help guide local sponsors to completing tasks necessary to secure the easement.

      Tips for Completing an Agricultural Easement

  • Title Review Checklist

    • The Title Review Checklist outlines items needed from the title agent.

      The Local Sponsor provides the title agent with the Title Review Checklist prior to selection to ensure that the title agency selected can:

      • Conduct a title search of the public records
      • Prepare a title commitment
      • Issue an Owner’s Insurance Policy to ODA for our Agricultural Easement Interest
      • Provide Escrow Services and Closing Protection Coverage
      • Facilitates Closing and Recordation

      Title Review Checklist

Templates and Forms:

  • Assignment of Payment

    • The Assignment of Payment form is optional and completed by the local sponsor and title agent for each elected easement.  This form authorizes the payment to be sent directly to the title agent for deposit into escrow.

      Assignment of Payment

  • Escrow Agreement

  • Landowner Application County Resolution of Support

    • Landowner Application County Resolution of Support (pdf/word)

  • Landowner Application Township Resolution of Support

    • Landowner Application Township Resolution of Support (pdf/ word)

  • Landowner Application Funding Plan (Exhibit D)

  • Localized Questions (formerly Step 14) - Instructions for Preparing Questions

  • Present Condition Report (Exhibit B) - Guidelines and Template

    • The Present Condition Report (PCR) documents the nature and condition of an application property and its improvements at the approximate time an agricultural easement is purchased. The report is prepared by the local sponsor and recorded with the Deed of Easement as Exhibit B.  It is also used as a baseline document to assist in monitoring and enforcing the terms of the agricultural easement.  The PCR Guidelines help local sponsors prepare the document.

      Present Condition Report (Exhibit B) Guidelines

  • Site Visit Form

    • The Site Visit form is a requirement of the landowner pre-application and application process.  Local sponsors visit each applicant farm, complete the document, review the program with the landowner and determine if the farm is compatible with the program.  If an application is submitted for the farm, the completed Site Visit form must be included as an exhibit.

      Site Visit Form

  • Subordination Agreement (sample)

    • Easements accepted to the program that also have a mortgage require that a subordination agreement be completed.  Local sponsors work closely with the landowners to initiate this process with the lending institution.  ODA reviews all templates prior to the document being signed and executed.

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