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The Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP) provides funding to
assist landowners and communities in preserving Ohio's farmland, our most vital
resource.
Ohio's fertile soils have always been essential to feeding a growing population,
and are also called upon to meet a booming demand for renewable energy. At the same
time, nearby competing land uses often exert incredible pressures upon these farms
to convert to non-agricultural uses.
Farmland protection activities not only ensure that the scenic views and heritage
of Ohio's countryside are maintained for future generations, but they also benefit
our environment and provide critical habitat for local wildlife populations. The
Clean Ohio program also helps family farms transition to the next generation and
protects the economic foundation of Ohio's largest industry.
Each year the Office of Farmland Preservation invites local sponsors and other interested
members of the farmland preservation community to assist in reviewing the past year’s
Clean Ohio AEPP application. The purpose of the meeting is two-fold:
- To collect feedback on the application process, mechanics and logistics.
- For ODA to provide feedback to Local Sponsors on the submitted applications including
helpful hints and common mistakes.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture partners with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) on many agricultural easements that are purchased
through the Clean Ohio AEPP. The FRPP provides matching funds to help purchase development
rights to keep productive farm and ranchland in agricultural uses. Working through existing programs,
USDA provides up to 50 percent of the fair market easement value of the conservation easement.
If a farm is selected for Clean Ohio AEPP funding, within the Notice of Selection it will outline that
ODA may submit the landowner′s application to the FRPP for partial reimbursement.
If this occurs, the landowner will need to fulfill the FRPP program requirements.
Clean Ohio funding is not contingent upon FRPP funding and FRPP funding does not affect the Clean Ohio
offer amount. To review more information on the FRPP including eligibility requirements and guidelines,
visit the
FRPP Program′s Ohio Website.
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