Agricultural Easement Purchase Program
Agricultural Easement Purchase Program - The Madison County Commissioners receive funding from the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program to purchase agricultural easements from willing landowners who wish to preserve their farm in perpetuity. An agricultural easement is a voluntary, permanent, legally binding restriction placed on a farm that limits the use of the land to predominantly agricultural activity. Farms with the highest scores are offered a price for their easement based on the score, not to exceed $2,000/acre and $500,000 total. The Madison County Commissioners would co-hold the easement with ODA and/or NRCS. Farms will be monitored once per year to ensure compliance. Landowners are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax and legal professionals, as Madison SWCD does not provide legal or financial advice. Costs associated with placing a conservation easement on the land will come out of closing or directly from the landowner. Typical costs may be a new survey, an appraisal, title/closing services, and a 1% stewardship fee based on the purchase price of the easement. More information about this program may be found at Ohio Department of Agriculture Office of Farmland Preservation.
