County commissioners heard from Andy McDowell of Western Reserve Land Conservancy Thursday morning to discuss Lanny Hopkins’ desire to preserve his Shelby farm through the Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (AEPP).
The AEPP is a statewide program developed to preserve Ohio’s farmland through the purchase of agricultural easements. The AEPP provides grants to farmland owners who sell their developmental rights.
McDowell requested a resolution by the commissioners in support of applying to the AEPP on Hopkins’ behalf. He noted last year’s attempt to receive approval of the resolution was unsuccessful; however, the Jackson Township trustees recently provided a resolution of support for this year’s attempt.
The AEPP receives roughly 200 applications yearly, of which are judged based on a point-scoring system, explained McDowell. He said that about 15-20 applications are accepted a year.
Commissioner Ed Olson noted that some of the questions listed in the application are subjective—for instance, the scoring of pressure for development.
“That’s always been a tough one—how do you gauge development pressure, particularly when you get into water and sewer questions…The program was created with the thought that they didn’t necessarily need to preserve farms that are out in the middle of nowhere, with no threat whatsoever of development pressure…it was trying to preserve farms in limbo zone, so parts of Richland County would certainly lend themselves well,” McDowell responded.
Hopkins, who has lived on his farm at 2961 Myers Road for the past 41 years, noted, “There are over 50 non-farm homes within .3 mile of my home. There is a 9-acre parcel across the street from my farm that has a cell tower, a railroad that splits across the front of the farm, and Columbia Gas is there as well, so it is very developable.”
Commissioner Gary Utt voiced his concern over the “in perpetuity” verbiage within the resolution, which would allow the landowner to keep his or her land in agricultural in perpetuity. He asked if instead of using the AEPP, Hopkins could use a will or trust.
McDowell said that above all, conservation easements are the most permanent way to preserve land.
McDowell also noted, “It makes sense from a protection standpoint and economic standpoint to preserve farmland given that it’s our state’s No. 1 industry and has been for years. It’s a $7 billion industry, and when you combine it with the food industry, it’s well over $100 billion in economic growth for Ohio.”
The commissioners did not make any final decisions regarding the resolution.
“It makes sense from a protection standpoint and economic standpoint to preserve farmland given that it’s our state’s No. 1 industry and has been for years,” said Andy McDowell.
