REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture will explore opportunities for farmland owners to preserve farmland through the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program during scheduled meetings.
Meetings will feature a presentation by the department’s farmland preservation staff as well as testimony from landowners who have participated in the program.
Meeting attendees will also have the opportunity to discuss the program with Ohio Department of Agriculture staff, including the tax advantages involved. Local partners will also be present at each meeting to provide information and direction to landowners.
Funding
The Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program provides funding to assist landowners and communities in preserving Ohio’s most vital resource, farmland.
This program also helps family farms transition to the next generation and protects the economic foundation of Ohio’s largest industry.
Southwest
The southwest Ohio meeting will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Wilmington Municipal Building Community Room, first floor, 69 N. South St., Wilmington.
Local partners include Clinton County Open Lands, Inc.; Tecumseh Land Trust and Southern Ohio Farmland Preservation Association.
Northwest
The northwest Ohio meeting will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the WW Knight Nature Preserve, 29530 White Rd., Perrysburg.
The local partner is Black Swamp Conservancy.
Northeast
The northeast Ohio meeting will be held from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Hiram College Kennedy Center ballroom, second floor, 11730 Garfield Road, Hiram.
Networking will follow the meeting.
Local partners include Countryside Conservancy; Western Reserve Land Conservancy; Hiram College Center for the Study of Nature and Society and Western Reserve RC&D Council.
Southeast
The southeast Ohio meeting will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 12 at Logan High School, 14470 state Route 328, Logan.
Optional break-out sessions will follow.
Local partners include Licking Land Trust; Ohio Farm Bureau; Fairfield Land Preservation Association and Appalachia Ohio Alliance. RSVP to the Fairfield County Farm Bureau at 800-992-3276.
Contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Office of Farmland Preservation with any questions at 614-728-6210 or visit www.agri.ohio.gov.
