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County Farmland Preservation Efforts and Contacts in Northeast Ohio...Ashtabula County Ashtabula County has
developed a farmland preservation plan. The Grand River Partners and the Ashtabula County Soil and Water Conservation District, have partnered on several farmland preservation projects. The Ashtabula Growth Partnership is currently working on a project that will incorporate support for agricultural producers throughout the county. If you are intrested in farm conservation contact Jim Welker, Ashtabula Soil and Water Conservation District at (440) 576-4946 or via e-mail at : ashtswcd@suite224.net For information on how to increase farm profitability or business planning assistance call Dave Marrison, OSU Extension agent at: (440) 576-9008 Geauga County has a county farmland preservation plan and a subcommittee of the planning commission working on the issue. The county has partnered with the Grand River Partners on several easement projects and has conserved three farms and over 300 acres so far. The county continues to work on agricultural economic development options for farm viability. To view some of the innovative work on land use planning and farmland preservation education follow this link.The county contact person is Heather Bickenheuserat the Geauga County Planning Commission (440) 279-1740. Geauga
County now has a directory of all direct market farms in the
County, View the
map or
brochure Cuyahoga County is a critical part of the regional planning process that includes compact development in urban communities and farmland preservation in rural communities. Through county- governmental, non-profit and volunteer efforts, there are many initiatives aimed at promoting a wise use of resources in the region. This includes redeveloping the inner city and nearby or first ring suburbs. By focusing development in areas with existing infrastructure, we can prevent recreating more and more infrastructure (roads, water and sewer lines etc.) further and further out in development patterns that destroy farmland and other natural resources. The Center will continue to work with individuals and organizations in Cuyahoga County working toward these mutually beneficial goals.
Three farms have been permenantly protection as a part of the Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program and an additional farm was selected for protection in 2007. Lake SWCD is also partnering with the Ohio Wine Producers Association on the One for the Grape program which will raise funds for the protection of vineyards and infrastructure for the industry. Visit One for the Grape to learn more about this voluntary donation program for wine buyers.
For more information about farm conservation contact Maurine Orndorff at Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District at (440) 350- 2030.
Lorain County developed a Farmland Retention Report in 2000. Lorain County Planning Department has included provisions for agricultural preservation in its comprehensive plan and encouraged the townships within the county to adopt comprehensive plans as well. Pittsfield Township has developed a voluntary agricultural zoning ordinance- one of the most innovative in the state. The township is currently in conversation with farmers who are in interested in participating. The Firelands chapter
of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy is involved in Farmland
Retention in Lorain County. For more information contact Kate
Pilacky at firelandslc@oberlin.net Medina County has supported its direct market farmers by hosting a twice a month farmers market in the summer months. The county's Farmland Preservation Report was developed in November 1999. For more information contact the Medina- Summit chapter of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Portage County Regional Planning Commission (PCRPC)has received funding from the Ohio Center for Farmland Policy Innovation to pilot Transfer of Development Rights as as a new land use tool (visit the farmland protection toolbox - possible tools to read more about what TDR is). PCRPC has done a good deal of work to help make this happen- stay tuned for more information. Portage County has developed a farmland preservation plan and has applied to the state PDR program for the past five years. Portage County now has a total of six farms permantly protected through the state PDR program. They have compiled a map and brochure listing all producers who direct market in the county. Portage county has a very active Farmland Preservation Advisory Board that meets regularly. Visit their website here For more information
on farm conservation and agricultural development in Portage County
contact Lynne Erickson at the Portage County Regional Planning
Commission at (330) 297-3613. A large part of Summit County is urban in nature and efforts to promote land preservation and smart growth are handled through land use planning and private land conservation. Summit County is an important part of any regional planning process that will seek to provide balanced land use and investment in existing infrastructure and to promote the conservation of farmland and open space.
Permanently
protected Morris Farm, Wayne County Wayne County has been actively pursuing the issue of farmland preservation for many years and has developed a farmland preservation plan. The county has participated in the state PDR program for the past five years and has been successful in protecting five farms with one new addition in 2007. One farmland owner has also donated an easement to the state bringing their total to 7 protected farms.
The Board of County Commissioners has adopted policies and procedures for participation in the Agricultural Security Area program and through their efforts improvements have been made to the program at the state level. The Agricultural Success Team has conductied a regional survey of agricultural producers and businesses in a three county area. Read the results of the Ag Success Team survey. The team is promoting preservation of farmland, promotion of agri-business and local foods. For information on agricultural ecoonomic development in Wayne County contact Brian Gwin at 330.264.2411 For more information on farm conservation in Wayne County call Katie Myers at the Wayne County Planning Department 330.287.5423. Learn more about Wayne
County's efforts at www.wayneohio.org/planning |
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The Farmland Center 2179 Everett Road • Peninsula, OH 44264 • (p) 330.657.2355 * (f) 330.657.2198 About
Us | Farmland Protection Toolbox
| Possible Preservation Tools |
Calendar of Events | Agricultural
Viability Site designed & hosted by Web Refinements
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Lake County Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District
has hired a full time agricultural specialist to work on the
retention and expansion of agriculture in the county. One of
the goals is to continue support for a word class viticulture
region that provides unique and distinctive wines and contributes
to the quality of life and economic viability of the county.
