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Rapid development impacting Ohio’s farmland market

The director of public policy for Ohio Corn and Wheat says rapid urban development is impacting the state’s farmland market.

Luke Crumley says more than 930,000 acres of farmland has been lost over the last 20 years. 

“If you’re the person looking to buy land and you’re a new and beginning farmer, or maybe you’re mid-career in your farm, the opportunity to compete with a multibillion-dollar corporation puts farmers at a competitive disadvantage,” he says.

He tells Brownfield it’s not just landowners that are impacted. Crumley says about 50% of farmland is rented.

“When a big developer comes in, they may not be talking to the person who’s farming the land,” he says. “You could have renters lose access to significant portions of their income overnight. Ohio has taken some steps legislatively, but it hasn’t solved all of the problems.”

Crumley says the organization is working on a solution to provide incentives and protect farmer access to farmland.

AUDIO: Luke Crumley, Ohio Corn and Wheat