It is so easy to live, work, and be part of a community, and yet never really know the extent of what is around us. Logan County is no different. We slip into our comfort zones, traveling the same roads and routines every day, and forget to branch out. But what if we took the time to look closer? How many “field trips” could we take in our own county that would open our eyes to treasures we pass by without even noticing? Sometimes, visitors know more about our local gems than we do as residents.
As your local electric cooperative, we want to do our part to shine a light on our neighbors—those working to make Logan County better today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. This month, we’re proud to introduce our members to an organization that is quietly but powerfully shaping the future of our rural landscape: the Logan County Land Trust.
A mission of preservation
The Logan County Land Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization run entirely by volunteers. The group’s mission is simple but profound. In short, LCLT helps to keep Logan County looking, feeling, and functioning like the place we all call home.
“The mission of Logan County Land Trust is to preserve farmland, scenic open space, and natural areas to protect the rural character of Logan County; and to foster the long-term sustainability of the agricultural economy and farming as a way of life.”
What the group does
At its core, LCLT works with landowners who want to preserve their land for future generations. That land could be cropland, pasture, woodland, wetlands, wildlife habitat—or a mixture of all of these. The trust guides landowners through available state and federal programs designed to protect land through conservation easements. Once an easement is in place, the land is safeguarded from development forever.
Education is also a big part of the mission. LCLT hosts workshops and field days on topics like soil health, woodland management, and pollinator protection. The group also invests in youth education through programs such as the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club and the annual summer Enviro-Camp (co-sponsored with Kirkmont Center).
Milestones & achievements
Currently, the Logan County Land Trust monitors 28 conservation easements covering nearly 3,300 acres of preserved land. LCLT is preparing to close on a 225-acre easement near Zanesfield for the Kirkmont Center—a project that will protect valuable natural space for years to come.
Another unique tradition is the group’s annual bus tour, now in its fifth year. These trips take Logan County residents to fascinating agricultural, natural, and cultural sites across Ohio. Past tours have included Stone Lab at Lake Erie, The Wilds near Zanesville, Rock Mill (a 19th-century grist mill in Fairfield County), and the Brandt Farm, which focuses on regenerative agriculture practices.
Closer to home, the LCLT is partnering with the Bellefontaine Parks Department to restore a 19th-century log cabin that was moved from Allen County to the Myeerah Nature Preserve. This fall, they’re also hosting an invasive plant species removal workshop at Kirkmont Center. And looking ahead, they’re planning a farm-to-table dinner, with details to come.
What are agricultural & conservation easements?
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses that negatively affect agriculture and conservation values. ACEP protects grazing spaces and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.
How it works:
When a landowner sells or donates a conservation or agricultural easement, they still own the land and continue to manage it. The property can be sold, gifted, or transferred at any time, but the easement remains permanently attached to the land. This means every future owner must honor the terms of the Deed of Conservation or Agricultural Easement.
Each time the property changes hands, the deed must include a reference to the easement—its listing in official recording information—so the restriction is clear and legally binding.
Agricultural easements
Agricultural easements protect land for agricultural use by restricting non-farm development. Landowners pay for these through Clean Ohio funds, with the help of certified local sponsors such as counties, townships, SWCDs, or land trusts, who submit applications to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Ag easements can be funded by either the Ohio Department of Agriculture or the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, or by a combination of the two.
Conservation easements
Conservation easements protect land, water, and wetlands in their natural, scenic, or open condition, which may include agriculture if compatible. These are typically established with a certified land trust or other conservation entity that holds the easement and ensures permanent protection while the land remains in private ownership. Conservation easements also can be donated by the landowner, who can protect the property and receive a federal tax credit.
Why it matters
Development pressure is not new to Logan County, and it will only continue as nearby urban centers grow. The work of the Logan County Land Trust ensures that while progress continues, the farmland and natural spaces that give our community its character aren’t lost in the process.
As the LCLT reminds us, these landscapes aren’t just pretty views; they directly impact the health of our environment, the strength of our economy, and the future of farming as a way of life.
How you can get involved
The Land Trust operates thanks to devoted volunteer time and the generosity of community members. The organization is always looking for energetic, passionate people to lend their time, talent, and leadership to programs and activities. Financial support is also critical—through donations, sponsorships, or gifts—to keep the mission alive and growing.
Preserving today for tomorrow
The work of the Logan County Land Trust is a reminder that while growth and change are inevitable, so is the opportunity to protect the things that matter most. By preserving farmland, open spaces, and natural areas, LCLT is ensuring that Logan County’s rural character, beauty, and agricultural heritage endure for generations to come.
In the end, Logan County Land Trust believes that preserving the land is about more than fields and forests—it’s about protecting a way of life.