Farmland Preservation

The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District helps coordinate different forms of farmland preservation in coordination with the 2002 County Land Use Plan.

FSWCD Planning Memo

1965-Present Farmland Policy Summary

Protected Lands in Fairfield County

Walnut Township Agricultural Security Area

Government Programs

The most popular program  is the Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP) administered by the SWCD on behalf of the Fairfield County Board of Commissioners in partnership with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. This program is occasionally  joined with the USDA-NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) on qualifying farms.

Locally the SWCD would assist with the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Easement Donation Program and the Fairfield Land Preservation Association conservation easement donation programs.

These programs are legally binding and can often be confusing. Jonathan Ferbrache, our Resource Specialist, is designated to assist you in understanding these programs and what best fits your needs. Application to the Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Program must come through the Fairfield County Board of Commissioners via the SWCD office.  We typically solicit applications December through mid-January each year.

Land Trust Program

The Fairfield Land Preservation Association is dedicated to the protection of natural features and working farmland for the benefit of present and future generations of Fairfield County through acceptance or purchase of conservation easements.

Visit their website at: http://www.fairfieldlandpreservation.com

Fairfield Land Preservation Association
P.O. Box 1033
Lancaster, OH  43130

Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP) Links:

Resources