We are dedicated to supporting Ohio’s farmers and landowners in navigating the complex landscape of agricultural law. One pressing issue facing our state is balancing farmland preservation with the demands of economic development. Below links to an insightful article from the Ohio Farm Bureau, featuring our attorney Johnathon Cottingim, an AgriPOWER participant whose expertise sheds light on this critical topic. Johnny’s unique perspective, informed by his work with landowners and his aerial view of Ohio’s evolving land use, underscores the challenges and opportunities in protecting our agricultural heritage.
Featured in OHFB: Balancing farmland preservation with land-use development
By: Kelli Milligan Stammen | Posted on April 24, 2025
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation | Read the Original Article
Summary Summary: The article explores the tension between preserving Ohio’s farmland and accommodating large-scale development, such as manufacturing, energy, and housing projects. Joy Evangelista, a Hocking County farmer, faces frequent offers to sell her land, highlighting the pressure on farmers to convert farmland for non-agricultural use. The piece notes a 2.4% drop in Ohio farms from 2023 to 2024 and a loss of 200,000 acres of farmland. JobsOhio’s role in economic development is discussed, alongside the need for community-driven zoning to manage growth.
Johnathon Cottingim’s Insights: Our attorney, Johnathon Cottingim, emphasizes the shift toward capital-driven projects, stating, “There is very little community-driven development anymore. Most development projects are capital driven, meaning a return on investment is necessary to keep the project afloat.” Reflecting on an aerial view of central Ohio, he observed, “There is not a better way to get a feel for land use development than from a bird’s eye view… Ohio will need to continue addressing the difficult issue of preserving our farmland and meeting all of the other economic needs of the state and nation.” Johnny also highlights the importance of proactive zoning, noting that outdated regulations often fail to protect farmland from development pressures.
At Wright & Moore, we understand the challenges Ohio farmers face in preserving their land amid growing development pressures. Johnathon Cottingim’s work with landowners and his involvement in AgriPOWER reflect our commitment to providing practical legal solutions for farm succession, land transactions, and zoning issues
