Ohio Code 901.54 – Office of farmland preservation
There is hereby created the office of farmland preservation within the department of agriculture. The office shall do all of the following:
Terms Used In Ohio Code 901.54
- agriculture: includes farming; ranching; aquaculture; algaculture meaning the farming of algae; apiculture and related apicultural activities, production of honey, beeswax, honeycomb, and other related products; horticulture; viticulture, winemaking, and related activities; animal husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine, and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or mushrooms; timber; pasturage; any combination of the foregoing; the processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products when those activities are conducted in conjunction with, but are secondary to, such husbandry or production; and any additions or modifications to the foregoing made by the director of agriculture by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. See Ohio Code 1.61
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
(A) Prepare guidelines and criteria for use in the development of comprehensive local land use plans that encourage the efficient use of public infrastructure and the preservation of farmland;
(B) Establish a farmland preservation program to coordinate and assist local farmland preservation initiatives;
(C) Educate existing agencies and organizations on the importance of farmland preservation and on the significance of agriculture and agribusiness to this state‘s economy;
(D) Serve as a liaison with other farmland preservation entities operating on a state, regional, or national level;
(E) Prepare an inventory of farmland within this state to monitor the development of lands within this state having prime soils or unique microclimates.