More preservation efforts under way in Ohio
Look for more legislation dealing with farmland preservation issues to be introduced this session.
ODNR is seeing the forest for the trees
Low-impact logging technology has made its way into Ohio and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources wants it to become the way of the future for Ohio woodland owners.
Ohio plans to seize assets of egg farm
Just in case Buckeye Egg has hatched any plans to abandon its mega egg production facilities in Ohio, the Ohio attorney general's office has asked the local court to seize the Ohio assets of both the company and its principal owner.
FERC attaches strings to pipeline approval
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has found that neither Independence Pipeline Company nor ANR Pipeline Company has adequately proven there is market demand for the gas to be shipped along the proposed Independence Pipeline.
Reps. Krebs, Logan renew farmland preservation efforts one bill at a time
Ohio Reps. Gene Krebs and Sean Logan were unable to get a comprehensive preservation bill passed last year, but they're back with seven separate bills that comprise the basics of a new comprehensive package.
FERC gets earful from pipeline opponents
A series of public meetings across Ohio and Pennsylvania coordinated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission aired comments regarding the proposed Independence Pipeline.
West Virginia tackles farmland preservation
The Voluntary Farmland Protection Act would permit farmers to donate or sell a "protective easement" for fair market value and still retain private ownership of the land for farming or business directly related to marketing farm products.
Gore unveils USDA-EPA strategy for animal feeding operations
The joint USDA-EPA "Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations" was unveiled last week, but skeptics doubt the USDA has the funds or the manpower to make it work.
Ag easement donations offer tax advantages
If an agricultural easement is granted in perpetuity as a charitable gift, income tax and federal estate tax advantages usually accrue.
Hog producers to get cash payments
For the first time in 38 years, the USDA is using a little-known authority to make cash payments directly to producers, but most would prefer loan guarantees.
