At the Schlumbohm Easement signing from left to right, Attorney Doug Smith, Steve and Crisitie Schlumbohm, Kelli Cochran ODA Farmland Preservation. Recent news from the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) highlights continued momentum in farmland preservation across the state, and here in our own community, that effort is deeply personal. Among the farms included in the latest round of preservation commitments is the Schlumbohm Farm, owned by Steve Schlumbohm, a lifelong Logan County resident and dedicated board member of the Logan County Land Trust. This project represents more than just acres preserved, it reflects a lifelong commitment to stewardship, family, and...
Celebrating Earth Day: Benjamin Logan Students Take Action for the Environment
Today marked the 56th observance of Earth Day, a global movement that began in 1970 to raise awareness of environmental challenges and inspire action. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into the largest secular holiday in the world, engaging more than one billion people each year in protecting and preserving our planet. Right here in Logan County, students from the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club and Elementary Science Club took that message to heart. Learning the “Why” Behind Earth Day The day began with students learning about the history and impact of Earth Day through educational videos. These...
Planning & Legacy
Farm Succession Planning and Conservation Easements For many Logan County landowners, the farm is more than acreage—it is family history, livelihood, and legacy. Planning for the future of that land can feel overwhelming. Still, early, thoughtful succession planning can help ensure that farmland remains productive, protected, and in the family for generations to come. Keeping Farmland in the Family One of the greatest challenges facing farm families today is the transfer of land from one generation to the next. Rising land values, development pressure, and inheritance complications can unintentionally push farmland out of family ownership. Conservation easements offer a practical...
Logan County Farm Bureau Annual Policy Meeting Highlights Key Issues for Agriculture and Conservation
Local farmers, elected officials, and community leaders recently gathered in Bellefontaine for the Logan County Farm Bureau’s Annual Policy Meeting, an important event that helps shape the future of agriculture and rural life in our region. Held at Hopewell Methodist Church, the meeting serves as the first step in developing policy priorities that will guide advocacy efforts at the county, state, and national levels in the year ahead. A Forum for Local Voices and Future Planning The annual policy meeting provides a platform for participants to raise concerns, share ideas, and discuss the challenges facing today’s agricultural community. Topics this...
“Bem-Vindo de Volta” – Welcome Back to Our Spring Visitors
Each spring, Logan County welcomes back some very special visitors—and this year is no exception. As the phrase “Bem-Vindo de Volta” (Portuguese for welcome back) suggests, the return of migratory birds from South America marks the beginning of another exciting season of learning, observation, and environmental stewardship for the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club (ESC). Welcoming the Purple Martins Home After traveling thousands of miles from South America (primarily Brazil) purple martins are making their way back to Ohio. In preparation for their arrival, ESC students recently learned from Joe Lautenbach, wildlife biologist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources,...
Home Sweet Home: Purple Martins at Ohio Hi-Point Career Center
There’s a new addition to campus at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (OHP)—and it’s for the birds… in the best way possible! Through a partnership with the Logan County Land Trust, OHP has installed new purple martin birdhouses, creating a dedicated habitat to support these remarkable migratory birds. Purple martins travel thousands of miles each year (from as far away as South America) to return to nesting sites across Ohio. Providing safe, well-managed housing is essential to their success. Learning Meets Action Before the birdhouses were raised, students in the Environmental Science and Animal Science programs had the opportunity to...
Logan County Land Trust holds first annual Farm Breakfast
Thu, March 19, 2026 by April King as featured by The Peak of Ohio The Logan County Land Trust held its first annual Farm Breakfast on Thursday morning at Winner Harvest Barn in DeGraff. The non-profit welcomed around 80 agriculturally minded people from across the county, along with representatives from partner organizations including the Logan County Auditor’s Office, The Ohio State University Extension Office, the Logan County Farm Bureau, Farm Credit, and the Logan Soil and Water Conservation District. State Senator Susan Manchester served as the featured speaker and talked about the work she has done in the past year. She also...
Maple Syrup with the Kavanaghs
Cycles of freezing and thawing are responsible for one of the sweetest treats nature has to offer. The WorldAtlas ranks Ohio 8th in Maple Syrup production for 2026 at 65,000 gallons just behind Michigan’s 82,000 gallons, but that slight didn’t matter to the members of the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club when they visited the farm of Bruce and Jodie Kavanagh to collect sap, watch syrup being made, and, most importantly, enjoy a stack of pancakes slathered with that prized commodity. Each year the Kavanaghs graciously host the ESC. The trip begins in the woods where the ESCers learn how...
Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club Explores Wildlife Careers and Conservation in Action
The Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club continues to expand students’ understanding of the many professions and responsibilities connected to caring for our environment. Each week brings new opportunities to explore real-world conservation work—and last week was no exception. Learning from a Logan County Wildlife Officer The club recently welcomed Adam Smith, Logan County Wildlife Officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). A graduate of Indian Lake, Mr. Smith shared his journey from student to wildlife officer, offering students a glimpse into a career dedicated to protecting Ohio’s natural resources. One of the key messages he emphasized was the...
Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club Explores Recycling and Sustainable Food Systems
The Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club (ESC) continues to keep students engaged with timely, hands-on lessons that connect science, sustainability, and everyday life. Recent meetings have focused on two important topics: plastic recycling and growing healthy food. Understanding Plastic Recycling in Logan County At the club’s most recent meeting, students learned about the history and impact of plastics with Jacob King, representative of the Logan County Solid Waste District. Jacob walked the group through the development of plastics during World War II, when the material became widely used due to its durability and versatility. Students then explored how plastic use...