Fairfield County Farms Approved for Ohio Easement Program
Fairfield County is among 36 Ohio counties where family farms have been approved for permanent farmland preservation through the state's Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program, a move that will help keep agricultural land in production for future generations.
According to a community announcement, the Ohio Department of Agriculture approved local sponsors to purchase agricultural easements on 58 family farms totaling 5,165 acres across Ohio, including farms in Fairfield County. The easements are funded through the Clean Ohio Fund and administered by local sponsors such as counties, townships, land trusts, and soil and water conservation districts. Once an easement is purchased, the land is permanently protected for agricultural use.
Program Details
The program is designed to support Ohio's food and agriculture industry by preventing farmland from being converted to other uses. To qualify, farms must be at least 40 acres or adjacent to a preserved farm, actively farmed, enrolled in the Current Agricultural Use Value program, demonstrate good stewardship, receive local government support, and not be located near significant development pressure.
Landowners can use easement proceeds however they choose, though many reinvest the money into their farming operations.
Land Preserved
From 2002 through 2025, the program preserved 100,954 acres on 689 family farms in 54 counties. Including related preservation programs, more than 111,000 acres on 769 family farms in 62 counties are now protected through permanent agricultural easements. In 2026, the Ohio Department of Agriculture secured an additional $2.4 million in matching federal funding, increasing the number of farms and acres preserved.
Additional Information
Additional information about Ohio farmland preservation programs is available at agri.ohio.gov/farmland-preservation.
The application period for Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program local sponsor certification for 2027 remains open through Oct. 23. Eligible counties, cities, townships, land trusts, and soil and water conservation districts may apply to receive future funding allocations for agricultural easement purchases. For more information, visit agri.ohio.gov.
This story was produced with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing, and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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