With the Feb. 26 special election on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights looming in the city of Toledo, Ohio Farm Bureau is encouraging farmers to enroll their operations in an agricultural district. 

OFBF Policy Counsel and Senior Director of Member Engagement Leah Curtis sat down with Ty Higgins, OFBF director of media relations, to discuss LEBOR’s potential impacts and the overall benefits to farmers who enroll in an agricultural district.

The Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) states that Lake Erie, and the Lake Erie Watershed, has the right to “exist, flourish and naturally evolve…” and gives any Toledoan the right to file a lawsuit on the lake’s behalf against any business or government entity in the Lake Erie Watershed.

The ag district program provides an affirmative defense for farmers in certain types of nuisance lawsuits. While it is not certain this defense will apply in potential LEBOR cases, it is one of the best and most underutilized tools in agriculture.

Regardless of where a farming operation is located in the state, taking the step of enrolling in an ag district can be an extra legal tool in defense of your operation. Contact your county auditor to enroll.

Online Extra

Ohio Ag Net LEBOR podcast with Leah Curtis