Ohio Farm Bureau Energy and Utility Issues Resource Guide

Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.

The new Energy and Utility Issues Resource Guide is a members-only document that provides information about critical energy issues many farm families encounter. It offers insights into leases, easements, on-site generation and legal considerations for energy development on privately owned farmland in Ohio.

Millions of acres in Ohio are privately owned farmland, so when it comes to locating infrastructure for utilities such as pipelines, telecommunications, wind, solar and more, the stakes are high. There are also new opportunities for installing on-farm energy generation equipment to help manage costs and generate income. 

Whether it’s projects managed by public utilities to other installations brought forward by independent energy service providers, issues related to eminent domain, right of access, land protection, compensation for damages, ingress/egress provisions and ongoing complaint resolution procedures are just some of the issues members should be aware of.

Other topics covered in the guide include identifying projects and jurisdictional authority; types of legal agreements; and oil and gas, pipeline, utility-scale wind, solar and telecommunication leases and easements.

In addition, the guide covers managing energy costs and potential income opportunities through energy choice and aggregation programs, on-site electric generation and interconnection, adopting vehicle fuel and electric vehicle technologies, carbon credit opportunities, geothermal technology and biomass energy development.

The final section of the guide provides insight into the various government entities that oversee energy development and tips for how to engage with them.

Members can download the guide at ofb.ag/energyresourceguide or contact their county Farm Bureau to access the guide and learn about local education programs for members happening across the state.

This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Ty Higgins, 614-246-8231 or [email protected].

Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
Kevin Holy's avatar
Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
Finding farm labor
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
Jody Brown Boyd's avatar
Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
CAUV: Past, present and future
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
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David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Farm Bureau involvement
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
Advocacy
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
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