Agricultural Easements - Permanent Preservation Option
An Agricultural Easement is a permanent deed restriction, placed on a parcel or several parcels of active agricultural land.
The deed restricts that “use” of the land for agriculture ONLY, in perpetuity.
Agricultural activities are acceptable, but other activities such as; subdivisions, industrial parks, and non-agricultural commercial activities are prohibited.
You as the landowner still own the land. However, you sell or donate the development rights. In NE Ohio you have several options for placing an Ag Easement on your farm.
- Compete for Clean Ohio Funds. This is a competitive grant process where if selected, the State of Ohio will purchase your development rights. You must go through a local sponsor, see list below. For more information visit the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Office of Farmland Preservation.
- Donate your development rights to a local land trust. Donating your development rights is not competitive and offers tax benefits to the land owner. In NE Ohio, you can contact either: Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Killbuck Watershed Land Trust, or the Wilderness Center.
Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program Sponsors
Ashland County: Contact Judy Kocab (419) 289-6765
Ashtabula County: Contact Scott Hill at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Carroll County: No Known Local Sponsor
Columbiana County: Contact Scott Hill at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Cuyahoga County: No Known Local Sponsor
Geauga County: Contact the Geauga County Planning Department (440) 279-1741
Lake County: Contact Maurine Orndorff at Lake Soil and Water Conservation District
Lorain County: Contact Andy McDowell at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Mahoning County: Contact Scott Hill at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Medina County: Contact Andy McDowell at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Portage County: Contact Todd Peetz at Portage County Regional Planning Commission
Richland County: Contact Andy McDowell at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Stark County: Contact Andy McDowell at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Summit County: Contact Eddie Dengg at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Trumbull County: Contact Scott Hill at Western Reserve Land Conservancy
Wayne County: Contact Maryanna Biggio at Wayne Co. Planning Department (330) 287-5420