ODA announces new Farmland Preservation commitments

More Ohio farmland will remain Ohio farmland. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is proud to announce multiple new additions to the Farmland Preservation program:

• Ronnie and Jackie Johnson (Darke County) - 20 acres;

• Karen Riddle (Champaign County) - 80 acres;

• Rowe Family Farm (Highland County) - 209 acres;

• Jeffery and Mark Truster (Baltimore County) - 71 acres; and

• Jan Bratton and son Michael Bratton (Fulton County) - 88 acres.

So far in 2023, 13 farms have joined the program.

Agricultural land is a key part of Ohio’s landscape. Preserving this land is essential.

An agricultural easement in Farmland Preservation is a voluntary agreement between the landowner and ODA, where the landowner agrees to perpetually maintain the land predominately in agricultural use. In exchange, the landowner is either compensated or may be entitled to a tax deduction.

In partnership with ODA, local sponsors Darke Soil and Water Conservation District, Champaign Soil and Water Conservation District, Cardinal Land Conservancy, Three Valley Conservation Trust and Fulton Soil and Water Conservation District respectively played significant roles in securing these agreements.

Since the Office of Farmland Preservation began in 1998, 693 farms totaling 104,384 acres have entered into agreements. This enables Ohio to continually be a top producer, aiding not just Ohioans, but all Americans.

Funds from the purchase of these easements are invested in the local economy by the landowners who use them by expanding their farming operations, purchasing new equipment, reducing debt, adding conservation practices, planning for retirement, sending their children to college or for other purposes. When the state purchases a farmland easement, the proceeds are plowed into Ohio’s economy and our agriculture industry is preserved for future generations.