More Ohio farmland will remain Ohio farmland
REYNOLDSBURG – More Ohio farmland will remain Ohio farmland. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) announced that in the first three months of 2026, more than 907 acres across the state have been permanently preserved for agricultural use through the state’s Farmland Preservation Program.
Agricultural land is a key part of Ohio’s landscape and economy. Through the Farmland Preservation Program, landowners voluntarily place an agricultural easement on their property, ensuring the land will remain in agricultural use permanently. In return, landowners may receive compensation or qualify for certain tax benefits.
“Each year we’re excited to see more farmland in Ohio placed in the Farmland Preservation Program,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. “Agriculture remains one of Ohio’s top industries and preserving land for future generations of farmers helps strengthen the state’s agricultural heritage.”
In 2026, the farms below have been added to the Farmland Preservation Program:
Cenky Farm in Miami County
Owner(s): Bryan and Constance Cenky
Rounded acreage: 66 acres
Local Sponsor: Elizabeth Township Trustees
• Geer Farm in Highland County
Owner(s): Donald and Cheryl Geer
Rounded acreage: 220 acres
Local Sponsor: Cardinal Land Conservancy
Hartman Farm in Madison and Greene Counties
Owner(s): Sunny Lane Farms, LLC
Rounded acreage: 51 acres
Local Sponsor: Madison County Commissioners
Lanum Farm in Delaware County
Owner(s): STB3, LLC
Rounded acreage: 53 acres
Local Sponsor: Delaware County Commissioners
Parker Farm in Clinton County
Owner(s): JP Family Farms, LLC
Rounded acreage: 110 acres
Local Sponsor: Clinton Soil and Water Conservation District
Pohlman Farm in Darke County
Owner(s): Walnut Garden Grove, LLC
Rounded acreage: 51 acres
Local Sponsor: Darke Soil & Water Conservation District
*Schlumbohm Farm
Owner(s): Steve Schlumbohm
Local sponsor: The county land trust in partnership with United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)
Stingley Farm in Clinton County
Owner(s): OJS Ag, LLC
Rounded acreage: 73 acres
Local Sponsor: Clinton Soil and Water Conservation District
Stratford Farm in Delaware County
Owner(s): Stratford Ecological Center, Inc.
Rounded acreage: 11 acres
Local Sponsor: Delaware County Commissioners
Strayer Farm in Allen County
Owner(s): RS Strayer, LLC
Rounded acreage: 84 acres
Local Sponsor: West Central Ohio Land Conservancy
Sunny Lane Farm in Madison and Greene Counties
Owner(s): Sunny Lane Farms, LLC
Rounded acreage: 84 acres
Local Sponsor: Madison County Commissioners
* ODA is prohibited by Federal law from disclosing certain information regarding projects under consideration for the purchase of an Agricultural Easement that may be purchased, in whole or in part, with any funds provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture pursuant to 7 U.S.C. § 8791 and 16 U.S.C. § 3844.
In partnership with ODA, local sponsors play a significant role in securing the agreements; a local sponsor is an entity such as the city, county, township, soil and water conservation district, or non-profit organization such as land trusts that demonstrates the capability to acquire, hold, manage, and enforce agricultural easements. ODA works in collaboration with certified local sponsors to acquire and monitor agricultural easements.