Strolling the fields for treasures, clarity
Walking these fields reminds me that there is always value in searching for the unknown and unexpected.
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Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District Director/Engineer Carmella Shale celebrates with John and Mary Lou Hope of Thompson Township after signing their 129-acre farm into the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP). This program purchases agricultural easements from landowners who volunteer to keep their land in agricultural production in perpetuity.
Since 2018, Geauga’s Board of County Commissioners, with assistance from Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, has been a Certified Local Sponsor to administer LAEPP in Geauga County. As land use continues to change and farmland disappears statewide, the significance of this program cannot be overstated. Geauga County has lost approximately 30% (nearly 29,000 acres) of farmland between 1964 and 2022.
Because of the Hope family’s commitment to the preservation of farmland, more farmland will stay protected as agricultural land.
Leave a Legacy! Preserving Geauga County Farmland for Generations to Come
The Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP) provides funding to assist landowners in preserving farmland. The program purchases agricultural easements from landowners who volunteer to keep their land in agricultural production in perpetuity. For the ninth year, the Geauga County Board of County Commissioners, with assistance from Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, is a Certified Local Sponsor to administer the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s LAEPP in Geauga County. This allows the county to accept applications from landowners to preserve valuable farmland within Geauga County.
As a 2026 certified local sponsor, $109,628 has been allocated for Geauga County. Interested landowners should contact Geauga SWCD directly to set up a meeting to discuss eligibility for the program. SWCD is available to assist landowners through the application process. The 2026 application round is open now through Feb. 28. For more details, contact Carmella Shale at 440-834-1122 or [email protected] or visit geaugaswcd.com.
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To grow a network and gain perspective and knowledge in the industry through personal and professional development has been invaluable. Every day I learn and grow.
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.
Farm Bureau is what really got the word out. It’s been one of their goals to get this done.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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.
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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