Farmland Preservation
The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District helps coordinate 5 different forms of farmland preservation in coordination with the 2002 County Land Use Plan.
The most popular program is the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Program administered by the SWCD on behalf of the Board of Fairfield County Commissioners in partnership with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. This program is often joined with the USDA-NRCS Farm and Ranchland Protection Program to provide a large portion of the easement purchase price on qualifying farms. The SWCD assist USDA-NRCS with the Grassland Reserve Program which can permanently restrict land to grass based uses like pasture and hay production.
Locally the SWCD assists with the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Easement Donation Program and the Fairfield Land Preservation Association conservation easement donation programs.
These programs are legally binding and can often be confusing. Jonathan Ferbrache, our Resource Specialist, is designated to assist you in understanding these programs and what best fits your needs. Application to the Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Program must come through the Board of Fairfield County Commissioners via the SWCD office.
The Fairfield Land Preservation Association is dedicated to the protection of natural features and working farmland for the benefit of present and future generations of Fairfield County through acceptance or purchase of conservation easements.
Visit their website at: http://www.fairfieldlandpreservation.org/
Fairfield Land Preservation Association
P.O. Box 1033
Lancaster, OH 43130
Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP) Links:
- Brochure
- Ohio Farmland Preservation Map
- Sample State Deed
- Sample Federal-ODA Deed
- FAQs for Landowner Application
Resources:
- Ohio Department of Agriculture
- Farm and Ranchland Protection Program
- Agricultural Security Areas
- Agricultural District
- Fairfield County Auditor
- American Farmland Trust
What’s New:
- Two dedicated farm families in Fairfield County have finalized the protection of their farms
- A survey of AEPP participants
- Ohio’s Agricultural Easement Purchase Program: From pilot to permanent presence
- Walnut Township ASA (Agricultural Security Area)