handshake

It is estimated that nearly half of Ohio’s 14 million acres of farmland are not owned by the person farming it. Instead, farmers use land leases to collect suitable land on which to operate their farms. Historically, these leases were accomplished by handshake deals between neighbors.

“While in many cases these less formal agreements work out just fine for both parties, we at Farm Bureau regularly talk to members where these handshake deals have gone awry,” said Amy Milam, Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of legal education and member engagement. “In many of those cases, the farmer ends up unable to access land that they have already significantly invested in and prepped for planting, or even worse, unable to harvest crops at the end of the growing season.”

According to Milam, this can often occur because of some change in the situation of the landowner – often it’s the passing of the original landlord and the transfer of land to other family members who wish to offload the property as soon as possible.

“While certainly we often talk with our members about the importance of putting these agreements in writing, the culture and custom of agricultural communities often overrides that best practice advice,” Milam said.

HB 397, which was overwhelmingly passed by the Ohio House recently, will bring Ohio up to date with many of the state’s Midwestern neighbors who have already created statutory guardrails for farm leases. 

Under this bill, notice must be given by Sept. 1 to terminate a farm lease, and the lease will terminate at the conclusion of harvest or Dec. 31, whichever comes first. These guardrails would be applied in situations where the parties to the lease have not otherwise addressed the issue of termination notice in writing.   

“What is important to note though is that every farmer and landowner that wishes to use different terms or agreements, still can by simply following the formal written lease procedure that is preferred under the law for leases of land,” Milam said. “By setting these guardrails, we can reduce confusion in the countryside and reduce the expensive and time-consuming litigation that often ensues from termination disputes.”

The bill was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in mid-April.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels
Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
Suggested Tags: