Auglaize County farmland included in statewide preservation program

Auglaize County is among 36 Ohio counties where agricultural easements have been approved for purchase through the state’s farmland preservation program.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture says local sponsoring organizations received approval to purchase easements covering 58 family farms and 5,165 acres statewide.

The Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program uses funding from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund to keep participating properties permanently in agricultural production. Local sponsors may include counties, townships, land trusts and soil and water conservation districts.

Eligible properties must generally include more than 40 acres or be located next to already-preserved farmland. Farms must also be actively used for agriculture, participate in the Current Agricultural Use Value program and demonstrate responsible land stewardship.

The department did not specify how many Auglaize County farms or acres are included in this year’s approvals.

Ohio has preserved more than 111,000 acres across 769 family farms through its agricultural easement programs. The state also received an additional 2.4 million dollars in federal matching funds for the 2026 program.

Applications are now being accepted from organizations interested in becoming local sponsors for the 2027 program. The application deadline is October 23.