Building Stronger Agricultural Communities Across Ohio
Rural Ohio faces unique challenges that many attorneys simply don’t understand. Our communities have experienced significant changes and declining populations. This means we don’t always have the social capital we need.
At Wright & Moore, we believe rural development for Ohio farms requires more than just legal services—it demands a genuine understanding of rural life and a commitment to strengthening agricultural communities. Our attorneys didn’t just study these issues in law school; they grew up in rural communities and understand the challenges firsthand. We’d be happy to share more about our background and approach to the law. Contact us today to learn more.
Why Work With Us
Deep Rural Understanding
We understand that our clients can’t always find the labor they need–the more people we can bring back to rural areas, the more we create a rising tide that lifts everyone.
Quality of Life Focus
We believe some of our major cities are already too big. Ohio was healthier when we were spread out across the landscape.
Holistic Approach
We understand that development isn’t just about individual farms–it’s about building sustainable communities where agriculture can thrive alongside other rural enterprises.
We help our clients drive business into rural areas, and we believe that work creates a rising tide for everyone. You can make a life for yourself here instead of just going to one of the three big Cs.
—Andy Wecker, Lead Attorney for Rural Development
Our 5-Step Approach to Rural Development
Our 5-Step Approach to Rural Development
- We immerse ourselves in understanding your rural operation and community context—assessing current challenges and identifying growth opportunities
- Our team evaluates development potential through both agricultural and community perspectives, recognizing solutions that urban-focused advisors might miss
- We analyze local market conditions and demographic trends to develop strategies that strengthen both individual operations and broader community health
- We create development frameworks that support agricultural sustainability while fostering complementary rural enterprises
- We maintain ongoing engagement with rural communities, adapting strategies as population patterns and economic conditions evolve
Our Rural Development Services
Agritourism for Ohio Farms
These opportunities allow landowners to interact directly with the public and cut out middlemen. If you have a certain number of acres designated for agritourism activities, that may generate much higher income per acre than what you might use for row crop production. We’ll help you make the right decisions.
Ohio Farm Rural Non-Profit Assistance
This initiative reflects our commitment to giving back to the communities that support us. While we focus primarily on business and legal services, we understand that healthy rural communities require strong non-profit organizations. We’re active participants in Farm Bureau and work closely with 4-H extension offices—organizations that directly impact how people can make money and contribute to the rural economy.
Ohio Farm Rural Business Consulting
These issues often intersect with our other practice areas, particularly when involving telecommunications and technology infrastructure that rural businesses need to succeed. Our statewide practice gives us insights into what works across different rural markets in Ohio. We can share successful models and help identify opportunities that might work in your specific community context.
Public Education and Speaking for Ohio Farms
We regularly speak to various organizations about agricultural trends and rural development opportunities. We stick to what we know in our practice areas, but we’re happy to talk to groups about the issues facing rural Ohio. Whether it’s explaining energy lease opportunities, discussing succession planning challenges, or addressing infrastructure needs, we help rural communities understand their options and opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rural Development
The key is creating opportunities that allow people to make a decent living while enjoying rural quality of life. This often involves combining traditional rural occupations with modern technology and market access. It takes time, but there is reason to be optimistic. Young people are seeing something in agriculture and rural life that previous generations may have overlooked.
Agriculture provides the foundation, but successful rural communities typically need complementary businesses and services. The goal is to create synergies where different rural enterprises support each other rather than competing for limited resources.
We’re actively working on this through our involvement with the Ohio State Bar Association and other professional organizations. The message is that rural practice can provide an excellent quality of life and diversified income opportunities, even if the raw income numbers might be lower than urban practice.
We bring a unique combination of legal expertise, rural understanding, and community commitment to Ohio farm rural development challenges. Our statewide practice gives us insights into what works across different rural markets, while our rural roots help us understand the cultural and practical realities that urban consultants often miss.
Want to Work Together?
Our dedicated and talented staff would love to get to know you and understand your needs. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us.