By Andi Anderson
Ohio is taking important steps to manage growth and protect its farmland by providing financial support to local communities. The Ohio Department of Agriculture is distributing one million dollars in grants to 22 counties to help them create or improve land use plans. These grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 for each county.
The funding was approved as part of the state budget signed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in June 2025. Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge explained the need for such planning. He said, "The General Assembly, they saw the need as well, realizing that Ohio is growing in so many different areas, but we have to plan for that growth."
Land use plans are important tools that guide how land, infrastructure, and resources are used or protected.
According to Baldridge, “It is a working document. It should should be referenced as growth occurs, as local communities, local governments plan for the future. It's a reference guide to help guide the direction of economic development growth here in Ohio.”
Ohio has lost around one million acres of farmland over time, which has raised concerns. Baldridge highlighted this issue, saying, “Bottom line, we went from about 14.5 million acres of productive farmland to 13.5 million acres of productive farm land. So as we think about preserving farmland, we just have to make sure there's a vision and a plan.”
Since Ohio follows a local control system, counties are responsible for creating their own land use plans. This allows each community to address its unique needs. Baldridge noted, "It really showcases the fact that all of our different communities work different all across the state. Whether you're rural county, whether your urban county or whether your county that butts up to urban, there's a lot of different moving parts."
This initiative comes at a time of strong economic growth in Ohio, especially in food and agriculture, which contributes 124 billion dollars annually. Officials emphasize that farmers must be involved in planning decisions.
Baldridge also mentioned existing programs that support farmland preservation, including one that helps families protect their land for future generations. He said, "That's a program that families can sit at their kitchen tables and they can envision what they want out of their personal property. Families decide to make a decision to say, 'we want to keep our farm in farmland for generations to come.'"
Overall, the initiative aims to balance development with farmland protection and support Ohio’s agricultural future.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-d-keine
Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy