Agricultural Resources & Programs
Stay up-to-date on current programs and agricultural assistance opportunities on this page!
If you have questions or want to talk to a technician, call us at (419) 893-1966.
If you have questions or want to talk to a technician, call us at (419) 893-1966.
H2Ohio Phosphorus Reduction Program Update
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Farmers participating in the H2Ohio Phosphorus Reduction Program are currently underway in the final year of their original contracts, though a new iteration of the program will be available for sign-up later this year. This new version of the program is intended to be more stream-lined and simplified. If you are interested in signing up or continuing with the H2Ohio program, please make sure you have your soil tests and nutrient management plans up to date.
Contact Matt Browne to learn more about the H2Ohio program and be placed on a waitlist to enroll into the program once sign-up opens. A summary of the total acres completed for Crop Year 2022 can be seen to the left. We are pleased to note that last year saw a 133% increase in the acres established for Overwintering Cover Crops! |
Farmland Preservation Program
The Lucas SWCD is a local sponsor of the Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP) with ODA's Office of Farmland Preservation. This program provides funding to farmland owners for placing an agricultural easement on their property. Funds are issued for up to 75% of the appraised value of a farm’s development rights. A payment cap has been set at $2,000 per acre, with a maximum of $500,000 per farm. A limited number of funds are available each year, so contact us soon if you are interested and to be put on a waitlist.
All easement transactions are recorded on the property deed and transfer with the land to successive owners. An agricultural easement is a voluntary and legally-binding restriction placed on a farm. The easement limits the use of the land to predominantly agricultural activity. The land remains under private ownership and management and stays on the tax rolls under Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV). The farmland can be sold or passed along as a gift to others at any time, but the restriction prohibiting non-agricultural development stays with the land. Those enrolling their property may also be eligible for a tax incentive through the IRS.
Through a partnership with the American Farmland Trust, mini-grants are available to help cover costs of establishing a farmland transition/access plan or agriculture easement. Any farmland owner interested in learning more about these opportunities should contact Matt Browne at the Lucas SWCD.
All easement transactions are recorded on the property deed and transfer with the land to successive owners. An agricultural easement is a voluntary and legally-binding restriction placed on a farm. The easement limits the use of the land to predominantly agricultural activity. The land remains under private ownership and management and stays on the tax rolls under Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV). The farmland can be sold or passed along as a gift to others at any time, but the restriction prohibiting non-agricultural development stays with the land. Those enrolling their property may also be eligible for a tax incentive through the IRS.
Through a partnership with the American Farmland Trust, mini-grants are available to help cover costs of establishing a farmland transition/access plan or agriculture easement. Any farmland owner interested in learning more about these opportunities should contact Matt Browne at the Lucas SWCD.
Lake Erie CREP - Funding Available
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Ohio are partners in implementing a voluntary Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to enroll up to 67,000 acres of agricultural land in the Lake Erie watershed within the State of Ohio. The purpose of the Ohio Lake Erie Watershed CREP is to create permanent vegetative cover adjacent to rivers and streams within the Lake Erie Watershed to increase wildlife populations as well as sustain suspended solids levels.
Participants remove cropland and marginal pastureland from agricultural production and convert the land to grasses, trees, or wetlands. |
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To see a list of nutrient service providers who have earned certification under the
4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program, visit this page. The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program encourages agricultural retailers and independent crop consultants to adopt proven best practices through the 4Rs, which refers to using the Right Source of Nutrients at the Right Rate and Right Time in the Right Place. |
Protect yourself & Lake Erie! Know the Nutrient Application Rules
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Nutrient application rules, pertaining to both manure and fertilizer, are in effect for farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Visit the ODA website to read the state law and check the 48-hour weather forecast before applying to ensure you are not in violation. If you have questions or if you believe there has been a violation of this law, please call the Lucas SWCD office.
Other Resources for Nutrient Application:
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Remember to check the local forecast before you apply!
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Horse Manure Management: Solutions for You
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An average 1,000-pound horse produces approximately 11 tons of waste (manure plus bedding material) per year! This waste requires proper storage and disposal to avoid negatively impacting the water quality of nearby streams and lakes. The Lucas SWCD also offers to take manure from local horse owners and turn it into valuable compost at our low-cost state certified facility in Whitehouse, Ohio. View/download our informational brochure
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If you are interested in implementing a best management practice on your land or enrolling in one of the available agricultural assistance programs listed below, contact our office today!
Our staff is available to help you with the process:
Matthew Browne, H2Ohio Technician - (419) 893-1966 ext. 3#
Dj Mears, Drainage/Agricultural Conservationist - (419) 893-1966 ext. 4#
For information on Soil Testing, please visit the Additional Resources page.
Explore the Agricultural BMPs page to learn more about ways you can
protect and improve the soil and water on your farm, and beyond.
Our staff is available to help you with the process:
Matthew Browne, H2Ohio Technician - (419) 893-1966 ext. 3#
Dj Mears, Drainage/Agricultural Conservationist - (419) 893-1966 ext. 4#
For information on Soil Testing, please visit the Additional Resources page.
Explore the Agricultural BMPs page to learn more about ways you can
protect and improve the soil and water on your farm, and beyond.
