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ODA announces
local ag easements approved for purchase
REYNOLDSBURG, OH (June 09, 2016) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture
(ODA) today announced approval for local sponsors to purchase
agricultural easements on 62 family farms representing 7,919 acres in
31 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.
Communities wishing to participate next year can apply to be Certified
Local Sponsors between September 14 and October 14, 2016. Certified
Local Sponsors assist landowners interested in selling easements with
the application process, easement closing and monitoring, and are ODA’s
valued partners in carrying out the Ohio Farmland Preservation
program.
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 2015, 294 family farms in 55
counties have collectively preserved 52,419 acres in agricultural
production. Permanent easements preserved under related programs
bring the total acres currently preserved in Ohio to 63,049.
For more information go to:
www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/FarmLand/FarmLand.aspx.
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