This program was launched in 2018 to address several concerns in both the farming and conservation arenas. These include:
- Rapid loss of farmland to development
- Increasing age of Ohio’s farmers, many with no family to take over the farm
- Financial difficulties faced by new farmers in acquiring land
- Limited access to locally-grown food in our region
- Dangerous pollution of our waterways, largely from farm runoff
The Food and Farm Initiative aims to preserve family farmland, while helping new farmers learn the trade and build their own enterprises, in ways that protect our ecosystems and keep the fruits of their labors within our local economy. Ultimately, we hope this will support strong, healthy, economically secure communities in our region.