The state received its first tool to help protect
Ohio's farmland from development in January 2000
when Senate Bill 223 was signed. The law allows
landowners to donate development rights of their
land to the State of Ohio or local governments to
protect productive farmland from conversion to non-agricultural
use. Potential donations are evaluated on a
case-by-case basis, as certain legal requirements
must be met in order for an agricultural easement
to be placed on a property. Landowners may
also find financial benefits in the form of tax deductions
associated with easement donations. This easement
will forever keep the land in agricultural production
and for that reason can be a tool for landowners
who wish to protect their family farm from development.
