Farmland owners can learn how to apply for Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program funds by attending a meeting 6-8 p.m. Nov. 29 at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve, 29530 White Road, Perrysburg.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture session is taking place in cooperation with Black Swamp Conservancy.
Agricultural easements are voluntary legal agreements restricting non-agricultural development on farmland, with the land itself remaining on the tax rolls and under private ownership and management. Landowners may undertake any agricultural activity permitted under Ohio law, and they can sell their farm or pass it along as a gift to others. However, the easement remains with the land, prohibiting any future non-agricultural development to make certain that it remains used for agricultural purposes.
Meetings will feature a presentation by ODA's farmland preservation staff, as well as testimony from landowners who have participated in the program. Meeting attendees also will have the opportunity to discuss the program with ODA staff.
Conservancy personnel also will be present to provide information and direction to landowners and make connections to aid in future applications.
The next application round is tentatively scheduled to open Jan. 5.
For more information, visit www.agri.ohio.gov.
