During a recent meeting of the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission, representatives from the Lucas Oil and Water Conservation District highlighted alarming trends regarding farmland loss in Ohio. The discussion centered on the urgent need for farmland preservation, particularly in light of research conducted by Ohio State University, which revealed that Ohio has lost nearly one million acres of farmland over the past two decades.

Lucas County is notably affected, ranking among the top five counties in the state for agricultural land loss, with a staggering 93% of its farmland disappearing during this period. This rapid decline poses significant economic risks, as studies indicate that the loss of agricultural land correlates with substantial economic losses—approximately $10,000 per year for every acre lost.

Despite efforts by the Ohio Department Office of Farm Land Preservation, which has protected over 100,000 acres since its inception in 1998, the scale of farmland loss far exceeds these preservation efforts. The state’s annual budget for farmland preservation, set at $6.5 million, has remained unchanged since the early 2000s, starkly contrasting with neighboring states like Pennsylvania, which allocates $60 million annually for similar initiatives.

The representatives emphasized the critical role of agriculture in Ohio's economy, noting that it contributes over $124 billion and supports one in eight jobs in the state. They urged local leaders and community members to advocate for stronger farmland preservation measures to ensure the sustainability of agriculture in the region.

As the meeting concluded, the call for action was clear: without increased awareness and support for farmland preservation, the future of agriculture in Lucas County and beyond remains at risk. The discussions underscored the need for immediate attention to this pressing issue, as the community grapples with the implications of ongoing land development and agricultural decline.