February 2025 | Volume 30 | Issue 1

 

Producers can now sign up at their local SWCD office for drought relief funding.  State funding is available to livestock farmers who are receiving payment through the USDA FSA Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) in a county designated as a primary natural disaster area by the USDA Secretary of Agriculture between August 19th and September 19th, 2024 due to drought.  The livestock operation must be located in one of the 28-county shaded areas on the map below. 

If you are a producer in Madison County affected by the drought, we encourage you to (1) sign up for the USDA FSA Livestock Forage Disaster Program before the deadline of March 3rd, and (2) call or stop by the Madison SWCD office to fill out the application and submit a W-9, if applicable.  A fillable pdf of the application is available upon request.

Madison County Commissioners, with assistance from Madison Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), is a local sponsor that administers the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program. This allows the county to accept applications from landowners to preserve valuable farmland within Madison County. In 2025, the county was allocated $174,072.

An agricultural easement is a voluntary, permanent, legally binding restriction placed on a farm that limits the use of the land to predominantly agricultural activity.  Interested landowners should contact Madison Soil Water Conservation District directly to set up a meeting to discuss eligibility for the farm.  The district is available to assist landowners through the application process. 

The application round is open through March 21st.  For more details, please contact Julia Cumming at 740-852-4003 or julia.cumming@oh.nacdnet.net.

Madison County preserved their 29th farm in 2024. Approximately 6,940 acres have an agricultural easement to date. From left to right are Rob Slane, County Administrator, Matt Furbee, Diane Furbee and Bob Hunter, Madison SWCD Supervisor. 

Many landowners know to enroll their farmland in Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV), but fewer realize why they should also enroll their land in an Agricultural District. An “Ag District” is a parcel of land that, upon application by the landowner to the county auditor, receives an identity of being devoted to agricultural use and thereby receives statutory benefits.  If you are devoted to farming, it is important for you to sign up for this program to protect your rights to farm.

It is hard to predict when a public project may be proposed that requires eminent domain that will impact your farmland.  Being in an Ag District is a proactive step that notifies state and local officials that agricultural land use is a priority when they are considering a proposal.

Benefits in an Ag District

Nuisance suits protection - Agricultural district status can protect farmers from nuisance lawsuits as long as the farmer is following acceptable best management practices. This can serve as an affirmative defense in frivolous lawsuits for odors and noises associated with agriculture.

Deferring assessments - The extension of water, sewer and electric lines can impact a farm. These lines are usually paid for by the landowner and often assessed on frontage. A farmer with extensive frontage could face costs large enough to require selling a portion of the farm. To prevent that, the law defers the assessments on Ag District farmland until the land is changed to another use or withdrawn from the Ag District.

Scrutiny of eminent domain acquisitions - If eminent domain is used on 10 acres or 10 percent of the total Ag District land, whichever is greater, the law calls for a review by the state director of agriculture to determine if an alternative to the proposed project is possible. The result might be a re-evaluation of the project with less or no agricultural land being taken.

Status of Ag Districts in Madison County

Currently, 33,264 acres, or 13% of agriculturally zoned land, is protected in an Ag District. Only 10% of eligible parcels are in both CAUV and Ag District programs!  This means 90% of parcels are not getting all of the protections available against nuisance suits, assessments and eminent domain. 

How to enroll in an Ag District

Signing up your land in an Ag District is easy.  Call 740-852-9717 or stop by the Madison County Auditor's office on 1 N. Main St. to fill out an application. The application must be filed with the auditor between January and March of each year.  An Ag District application must be renewed very five years to stay active

When we see the loss of prime farmland for houses, the question arises - how can we do better as a community to provide housing and protect rural values and connection to the land?  As we look at development across the country, we found a new trend, Agrihoods.

Agrihoods are a growing form of organized communities derived from sustainability and the integration of agriculture. Agrihoods are facilitated around food production as well as providing green space, recreation, and natural aesthetics. The trend of moving to agrihoods has been noted by several sources to be more common among millennials. Agrihoods are part of a larger movement known as “new urbanization” to create a mixed-use community that prioritizes healthy living and community connections.

Agrihoods offer development of a new and greener solution that helps to protect and preserve green space while providing a healthier and more sustainable life for its residents. Agrihoods provide environmental benefits by conserving productive farmland and natural areas and mitigating the increase of impervious surfaces. Agrihoods generally include a mix of homes, resident-focused amenities, and commercial space.

Agrihoods allow for many recreational uses amongst its residents. Green space is a major factor in the development, offering trails, gardens, parks, and many more opportunities to promote an active lifestyle within families. Another important aspect of Agrihoods is sustainable food production at a local level for the community to enjoy. Gardening and working organic farms are a major part of residential recreation to help promote healthier food options. “Urban agriculture has been shown to improve access to fresh produce, especially in low-income areas, and integration of public health programming can enhance the knowledge and consumption of fruits and vegetables” (Urban Land Institute).

Agrihoods can support and attract support investments from its development.  “Many studies find as much as 15 to 30 percent increase in the value of properties adjacent to parks and open space, including working farms” (Urban Land Institute). Agrihoods also provide a competitive edge, offering a less expensive building and operation cost than other major development amenities. To build Agrihoods, developers are forming innovative partnerships with landowners, farmers, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders.

We realize not one kind of subdivision is suitable for everyone, and we would much prefer farmland to remain as farmland; however, when a subdivision is necessary, this is one kind we would prefer in Madison County!

Alberlin Springs, Morrow, OH Located on 140 acres of preserved forests and meadows, this site is built around a working farm that is more integrated with nature. Numerous amenities include an on-site community-supported agriculture (CSA) program.

Ohio farmers are increasingly turning to cover crops as a proven way to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and increase crop yields. Cover crops, such as clover, rye, and radishes, provide crucial benefits by preventing nutrient runoff, suppressing weeds, and enhancing soil moisture retention. As climate variability intensifies, these crops offer farmers a resilient tool to maintain productivity.

Cover crops help reduce soil erosion and improve soil structure by keeping the ground covered year-round. Their deep roots break up compacted soil while enhancing water infiltration and retention, which reduce the risk of flooding and drought damage. Legumes such as clover and vetch can fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Additionally, cover crops capture leftover nutrients in the soil, preventing them from washing into nearby streams and improving water quality. By outcompeting weeds and disrupting pest life cycles, cover crops lessen farmers’ reliance on herbicides and pesticides. This cuts costs and supports beneficial insects like pollinators.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Ohio is committed to helping farmers implement cover cropping practices through several financial and technical assistance programs. One of the most popular is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provides cost-sharing for planting cover crops. Through EQIP, farmers can receive guidance on selecting appropriate cover crop species, planting methods, and termination strategies. Another valuable resource is the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which rewards farmers already using conservation practices while encouraging them to adopt additional measures, including cover cropping. This program supports long-term commitments to soil health improvement.

Local NRCS offices across Ohio also offer personalized support, including soil testing and on-farm evaluations. Many Ohio counties partner with Soil and Water Conservation Districts to expand outreach and connect farmers with workshops and field demonstrations. Find your local office at https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator. As Ohio’s agricultural sector faces evolving environmental challenges, cover crops supported by NRCS programs and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts provide a win-win solution for farmers and the environment alike.

Cover crops aren't just for large-scale agriculture! Learn more about cover crops in the home garden.

The Ohio EPA has been conducting informational sessions to announce the current updates of Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). This section requires State agencies to evaluate projects that will result in the discharge of dredged or fill material into the waters of the United States to determine whether the discharge will violate State’s water quality standards.

The Section 401 certification helps to protect and preserve natural wetlands, streams, and lakes by identifying areas of fill and dredging, as well as mitigating these changes to the scenery. Because of their many environmental, ecological, and functional benefits, wetlands are important natural resources. As valuable natural resources, proposed activities within wetlands (which includes placing fill material, mechanically clearing, and building in wetlands) on both private and publicly owned land may be regulated by both Ohio EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Anyone who wishes to place dredged or filled material into wetlands, streams, or lakes must apply for individual Section 401 certification unless the project meets the Ohio EPA conditions of applicable nationwide permits.  

Nationwide permits are for specific activities that will have minimal environmental impacts. This permit may be authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the permit. If the activities meet Ohio EPA’s conditions on the nationwide permit, the project does not require an Individual Section 401 water quality certification. There are currently nationwide permits for approximately 50 types of activities authorized in Ohio.

Applicants must mitigate wetland impacts by purchasing credits from mitigation banks, purchasing credits from in-lieu fee programs, or restoring or enhancing wetlands elsewhere in accordance with the wetland water quality standards. The Ohio EPA also may require applicants to mitigate stream impacts by purchasing credits from the mitigation banks purchasing credits from in-lieu fee programs or restoring or enhancing impacted stream segments within the watershed in which the impact will occur.  

For more information, please contact the Ohio EPA’s Division of Surface Water’s 401/ Wetlands Section at (614) 644-2001. You may also visit the Madison Soil and Water website to access the Ohio EPA handout for more information about permitting.

If you plant it, they will come!  We had great success in attracting monarch butterflies when we planted common and swamp milkweed plants at the Madison SWCD office.  

The monarch butterfly, a familiar sight in Ohio’s fields and gardens, may soon be listed as an endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is reviewing a proposal to protect monarchs under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to dramatic population declines.

Once abundant across Ohio, monarchs have declined by nearly 80% in the eastern U.S. since the 1990s. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and a changing climate have all contributed to this sharp drop. Monarchs rely on milkweed, the only plant where they lay eggs and their caterpillars feed, but milkweed has been disappearing due to expanding agriculture and urban development.

Ohio, a critical stop along the monarchs’ migration route, has seen fewer butterflies in recent years. Scientists warn that if current trends continue, the species could face extinction.

Conservation groups first petitioned for monarchs to be listed under the ESA in 2014. In 2020, the USFWS determined that the species deserved protection but delayed listing due to higher-priority species. Now, with continued declines, officials are reconsidering. If listed as endangered, monarchs would receive habitat protections and conservation funding.

An ESA listing could bring new conservation programs to Ohio, where many farmers, gardeners, and environmental groups have already been working to protect monarchs. However, some agricultural groups worry that restrictions on pesticide use, or land management could affect farming operations.

Despite these concerns, Ohio has seen successful efforts to restore milkweed and pollinator habitats. Programs like EQIP through NRCS and Soil and Water Conservation District initiatives encourage planting milkweed along highways, farms, and backyards to support monarch populations.

The USFWS is expected to make a final decision on the monarch’s status later this year. In the meantime, Ohioans can help by planting native milkweed, reducing pesticide use, and supporting pollinator-friendly conservation efforts.

Whether or not the monarch receives federal protection, its future depends on continued efforts to restore the habitats it needs to survive.

The mission of the Madison Soil and Water Conservation District is to enhance and sustain the soil, water and related natural resources of Madison County through partnerships with landowners and others to provide research-based educational programs, technical assistance, and funding to promote a clean local environment. More information about our services, conserving natural resources, and events is available at www.madisonsoilandwater.com, or call our office at 740-852-4003 and ask for Broc Sehen-Wildlife Specialist.

Please join us on Wednesday, March 19, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. for our annual planning/local work group meeting at the Madison County Engineer’s Conference Room, 825 US HWY 42 NE, London, Ohio.

The NRCS Local Work Group (LWG) brings together a diverse group of people with agricultural and natural resource interests to discuss and develop recommendations for local natural resource priorities and criteria for activities and programs delivered by USDA and the local resource conservation districts. This is your chance to weigh in on comments about improving our programs and services provided.  

Please email gail.wilson@oh.nacdnet.net or call (740) 852-4003 to let us know if you can attend.  This meeting is open to the public.

SWCD Staff

 

Julia Cumming, Program Administrator

Broc Sehen, Wildlife Specialist

Gail Wilson, Operations Coordinator

Emma Ryan, Urban Conservationist

 

NRCS Staff

 

James Tillman, District Conservationist

Preston Leonard, Soil Conservationist

 

 

Board of Supervisors

 

Steve Davis, Chairman

Jonathan Francis, Vice Chairman

Bob Hunter, Treasurer

JD Bethel

Nancy Denes-Sparks

02/17 President's Day (Office closed)

03/19 - SWCD Board Meeting

03/19 - Annual Planning Meeting/Local Work Group Meeting

04/09 - SWCD Board Meeting

 

Madison Soil & Water Conservation District

831 U.S. Highway 42 NE

London, Ohio 43140

Phone: (740) 852-4003 opt. 3

www.madisonsoilandwater.com www.facebook.com/madisonswcdohio

All NRCS/MSWCD programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap. Please contact Gail Wilson at gail.wilson@oh.nacdnet.net if you wish to be put on or removed from our email list.