ODA Helps Preserve Farmland, Announces Local Agricultural Easements Approved For Purchase

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) remains committed to strengthening our state's largest industry - food and agriculture. ODA is proud to announce approval for local sponsors to purchase agricultural easements on 45 family farms representing 4,131 acres in 33 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.

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 2024, 668 family farms in 53 counties collectively preserved 99,267 acres in agricultural production. Permanent easements preserved under related programs bring the total acres currently preserved in Ohio to over 109,000 on 747 family farms in 62 counties.

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

Below is the list of counties where 2025 agricultural easements have been approved by the department.

2025 Local Agricultural Easements Approved for Purchase

Ashtabula
Auglaize
Champaign
Clark
Clinton
Darke
Delaware
Fairfield
Fayette
Fulton
Harrison
Huron
Knox
Licking
Logan
Lucas
Madison
Marion
Miami
Morrow
Muskingum
Ottawa
Perry
Preble
Putnam
Richland
Ross
Sandusky
Scioto
Seneca
Union
Warren
Wayne