Clean
Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP)
In November 2001, Ohio voters approved
the $400-million Clean Ohio Fund to preserve farmland
and greenspace as well as to develop recreational
trails and clean up brownfield sites. Of the funds,
$25 million was allotted to the department to purchase
agricultural easements on productive farmland from
willing landowners. Divided among seven years, approximately
$3.12 million has been provided each year to purchase
agricultural easements. One round of funding remains
for 2008, but future funding is unknown. The Clean
Ohio AEPP grants up to 75 percent of the points-based
appraised value of the farm’s development rights.
In recent years, a payment cap has been set at $2,000
per acre with a maximum of $500,000 per farm. In
addition, since 2002, the department has been awarded
additional funds through the United
States Department of Agriculture’s Farm and
Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).
Landowners cannot apply to the AEPP
directly; rather county commissioners, township trustees,
municipal councils, soil and water conservation districts,
and land trusts apply on behalf of farmland owners.
These applicants are known as local sponsors and
submit paper copies of the completed application
to the Office of Farmland Preservation by the indicated
deadline.
2008
Clean Ohio AEPP Funding Round
The 2008 Clean Ohio AEPP online-application is
now open, with a closing deadline
of Friday, May 23, 2008, at 5 p.m. Here
are links to the online application and other
information regarding the Clean Ohio AEPP:
