Land preservation programs
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Warren County SWCD works together with Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and local land trust organizations to assist landowners who wish to preserve valuable land in Warren County. For more information you can contact our Conservation Program Specialist, Cindy Meyer at 513.695.2530 .
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Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program - Farmland Preservation
The Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP) provides funding to assist landowners in preserving Ohio's farmland in our county. The program purchases agricultural easements from landowners who volunteer to keep their land in agricultural production in perpetuity.
Warren County SWCD applies annually to be a Certified Local Sponsor under Ohio Department of Agriculture. Being a Local Sponsor allows us to accept applications for Warren County landowners to participate in LAEPP. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has selected WCSWCD as a local sponsor for this program.
Interested landowners should contact the District to set up an in-person meeting to discuss their eligibility for the program. Funding is available for Warren County landowners for the next funding round. This is a voluntary program in which landowners have the opportunity to sell easements on their farmland to the state of Ohio. To be eligible the farm must be 40 acres or more, actively engaged in farming, participating in the Current Agricultural Use Valuation program, demonstrating good stewardship of the land, having the support of their local government and not laying directly in the path of development. The easement will guarantee the farm remains in agricultural production permanently.
The application round opens at the beginning of each calendar year, and closes in April. Interested landowners are welcome to schedule a meeting with a WCSWCD staff member. Funding for the program is derived from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, approved by voters in 2008. Click here for more information on Ohio’s farmland preservation effort. Print an informational brochure here.
Warren County SWCD applies annually to be a Certified Local Sponsor under Ohio Department of Agriculture. Being a Local Sponsor allows us to accept applications for Warren County landowners to participate in LAEPP. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has selected WCSWCD as a local sponsor for this program.
Interested landowners should contact the District to set up an in-person meeting to discuss their eligibility for the program. Funding is available for Warren County landowners for the next funding round. This is a voluntary program in which landowners have the opportunity to sell easements on their farmland to the state of Ohio. To be eligible the farm must be 40 acres or more, actively engaged in farming, participating in the Current Agricultural Use Valuation program, demonstrating good stewardship of the land, having the support of their local government and not laying directly in the path of development. The easement will guarantee the farm remains in agricultural production permanently.
The application round opens at the beginning of each calendar year, and closes in April. Interested landowners are welcome to schedule a meeting with a WCSWCD staff member. Funding for the program is derived from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, approved by voters in 2008. Click here for more information on Ohio’s farmland preservation effort. Print an informational brochure here.
Agricultural Conservation Easement ProgramThe Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. Under the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) component, NRCS helps American Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, NRCS helps to restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands.
Warren County SWCD works with NRCS to become and Eligible Entity, allowing us to serve Warren County landowners who wish to apply for financial and technical assistance to preserve their farms. ACEP-ALE works in conjunction with the state program to allow more farmland properties to be awarded each year in Warren County. Under the ALE component, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Easement values for ALE are based on a fair market appraisal. Though signup is continuous, funding selections are made at specific times during the fiscal year. Please contact us if you are interested. |
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other ways to preserve
If you are interested in conservation of non-agricultural land, there are many ways to do this! Please contact our office for information on additional programs. We will set an appointment to discuss your property and interests in detail to find a solution to your conservation interests.
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