Land Conservancy Marks 20 Years of Farmland Protection
The West Ohio Land Conservancy celebrated two decades of work preserving farmland, promoting agricultural easements across the state.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Agriculture
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The West Ohio Land Conservancy celebrated its 20th year on Saturday in Pandora. The organization used the milestone to promote agricultural easements and raise awareness of farmland preservation.
Why it matters
Competition for land from commercial development, data centers and clean energy has increased farmland values, making permanent protections a growing concern for farm families. Easements let landowners keep farmland in agricultural use while retaining some ownership rights.
About 2,000 farms across Ohio have agricultural easements, and Putnam County holds the most in the state with close to 200. Easements require at least 25% of all farmland, though the total acreage protected statewide was not reported.
The players
West Ohio Land Conservancy
A regional land trust that works to preserve farmland and open space through conservation easements in western Ohio.
Katie Ware
The executive director hired about a year ago, who oversees the conservancy's shift from an all-volunteer board to professional leadership.
The details
Agricultural easements require landowners to designate their farmland for farming use only, giving up some ownership rights permanently. Landowners must prove a farm has been in the family for over 100 years to qualify, though a landowner lacking enough acreage can merge with a neighbor and apply together.
Timeline
About a year ago: the conservancy hired Katie Ware as its executive director, ending its all-volunteer board structure.
Saturday, November 2026: the conservancy celebrated its 20th year.
Season Trajectory
The 20-year milestone places the West Ohio Land Conservancy within Ohio's longer-running easement program, which has grown to roughly 2,000 farms statewide. The conservancy's push for awareness comes as competing land uses increasingly pressure farmland values across the state.
Landowners considering an easement give up some ownership rights permanently in exchange for keeping their land in farming use. Those with smaller acreage may need to partner with a neighbor to meet eligibility requirements.
The takeaway
Farmland protection through easements is a long-term commitment, and landowners weighing one should understand the permanent limits on how the land can be used. Consulting a conservation organization before deciding can clarify eligibility and terms.
Further reading
For more on how farmland is protected across the state, explore Agriculture coverage for Ohio.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lima News.
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