Land Use Planning Grant

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) administers the Land Use Planning Grant Program, a state-level funding initiative that supports Ohio counties in developing or updating Comprehensive Land Use Plans and Farmland Preservation Plans. This initiative seeks to bolster rural economic vitality, protect prime agricultural land, and encourage strategic, coordinated land use planning across jurisdictions. Applications for the program must be submitted via email by February 27, 2026, and successful applicants will be notified by March 31, 2026. The performance period concludes on May 31, 2027, with project extensions considered if progress is demonstrated. The program’s primary objectives center around aligning farmland preservation efforts with water quality initiatives and economic development strategies. It promotes integration between local, regional, and state-level planning and encourages active collaboration among local governments, agricultural nonprofits, and technical support institutions. Priority is given to plans that engage a wide range of stakeholders, including those from unzoned or non-planning jurisdictions, and those that demonstrate readiness to use zoning and conservation easements for long-term land preservation. Funding is offered in two main tracks: Comprehensive Land Use Planning grants, which provide up to $50,000 per applicant, and Farmland Preservation Plan grants, which offer up to $25,000. Both require a minimum 10% local match, either through cash or in-kind contributions. Awards are primarily reimbursement-based but may include advance payments of up to 20% of the grant total to assist with initial costs. The grant contract will define eligible reimbursable expenses, and final payments are contingent upon submission and certification of completed plans. Eligible applicants are restricted to Ohio county governments. However, applicants must demonstrate meaningful engagement with local townships, municipalities, and the county Soil and Water Conservation District or Regional Planning Commission. Optional partners may include land trusts, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions. Required application components include a completed form, a detailed scope of work, budget and match documentation, a governing board resolution, and letters of commitment from collaborators. Optional attachments may include previous planning documents if applicable. Applications are reviewed competitively based on several criteria, including countywide participation, inclusion of unzoned jurisdictions, presence of formal collaboration agreements, and the integration of smart growth principles. Points are also awarded for plan quality, technical mapping rigor, public engagement, and alignment with farmland preservation tools such as zoning overlays or agricultural easements. Counties may also earn bonus points for first-time plans or for including 100% of their unzoned farmland areas. Funded counties are required to submit quarterly progress reports, a draft plan for agency review, and a finalized plan complete with GIS shapefiles, implementation strategy, and public engagement documentation. Financial reporting must include final expenditures and evidence of match contributions. All deliverables must comply with Ohio legal requirements, be publicly adopted within the grant term, and be submitted in accessible digital formats for state archives. The program ultimately aims to create a robust framework for preserving agricultural land in Ohio through well-coordinated, data-informed, and community-driven planning.

Include formal MOUs, address unzoned areas, and demonstrate stakeholder engagement to maximize review score.