Rep. McNally Announces $107,138 for Mahoning County SWCD

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced $107,138 for the Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) as part of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP).

“Agriculture is vitally important to our past, present, and future,” said Rep. McNally. “Preserving this land and securing this funding benefits our communities in the short and long-term.”

The LAEPP was created to preserve Ohio’s agricultural land while simultaneously investing in local economies. The program provides funding to farmers, equivalent of up to 75% of the appraised value of a farm’s development rights, who agree to the placement of an agricultural easement on part of or all their property. An agricultural easement is a legally binding commitment wherein the land under the easement must henceforth be used for predominantly agricultural activity; the land otherwise remains under private ownership and control. Since the program’s start in 2002, easements have been secured on 702 farms totaling 105,376 acres across 63 counties.  Forty-one local sponsors in 51 counties received $6 million as part of ODA”s 2024 LAEPP.

As a “local sponsor” for the LAEPP, the funding received by the Mahoning County SWCD will be used to manage the easement application process, helping secure easements on behalf of the landowner in their community. Additionally, local sponsors acquire, hold, manage, and enforce agricultural easements. Applications from interested landowners are due by April 18, 2024. Interested applicants should contact the Mahoning County SWCD.