For Immediate Release | 2.16.2022
Press contact: Department of Strategic Impact | 616-738-4852

Cattle graze on Hehlden Farm in Polkton Township. In the Hehl family since the 1880s, Hehlden Farm was the first to be preserved through Ottawa County's Purchase of Development Rights Program. [Rich C. Lakeberg/Ottawa County]

Take the next step for farmland preservation

WEST OLIVE - Back in the early 1990s, Matt Hehl was starting to think about buying the family farm from his father. Although Hehlden Farm in Polkton Township had been owned by a Hehl since the 19th century, passing it on to the next generation wasn't a sure thing. Having enough money to buy the farm from his parents was already a tall order. Encouraging his father to prepare for retirement was a struggle, too.

"I saw the hurdle it would take to try to do that," said Matt Hehl, now the owner of Hehlden Farm. "Ultimately I had to bide my time for a couple of years before I could get my finances in line. My dad was not quite ready to let go of everything, so we did the transition in pieces."

"Farmland preservation - it is forever. This will always be the Hehl farm."

Matt Hehl, owner of Hehlden Farm

Fast-forward a couple decades, and Matt Hehl became an Ottawa County Commissioner and helped champion farmland preservation locally. "Eventually, we got the County Board to take up (the issue) and put an ordinance together. We got it voted on and it passed unanimously."

Today, five farms - including the Hehls' - have been protected through Ottawa County's Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. Using a combination of state and/or federal grant funding, private donations, and landowner contributions, the County purchases the development rights to farmland, creating a permanent agricultural conservation easement.

Interested in protecting your land? Now through April 30, landowners can apply to preserve their eligible, agriculturally zoned property. Start the process today by completing a Pre-Application at bit.ly/OCPDRapp

Creating easements through the sale of development rights guarantees the land is used for ag purposes or remains in a natural state in perpetuity. Landowners are compensated for lost development potential, yet still own the land and retain all other rights associated with it.

"Farmland preservation - it is forever. This will always be the Hehl farm," Matt Hehl said of his Polkton Township property. "It's worked pretty good for the last almost 150 years. So what the heck? What's wrong with the next 150 years?"

For more information on the farmland preservation program, visit miottawa.org/farmland

MiFarmLink: Free succession planning sessions

Development pressure is just one of the many challenges today's farmers face. That's why County staff work day in and day out to strengthen farmland preservation program efforts by addressing farmer needs - such as land access and succession planning assistance - through a new public-private ag support system: the MiFarmLink Project.

Planning for handing off an agricultural operation can be a complicated and often stressful endeavor. To help West Michigan farmers get started, Grand Rapids-based estate planning law firm and MiFarmLink partner McShane & Bowie, PLC is offering free consultations.

"Farmers' operations are intertwined with complicated business and succession planning issues," said estate planning specialist Michelle Anthes of McShane & Bowie. "It's imperative to start early. We can help alleviate anxiety and supply agriculture veterans a solid foundation to build their plan."

Farmers can get started on a personalized succession plan that will protect them, their heirs, and their assets. And there is no obligation to continue planning with McShane & Bowie attorneys. Participants will leave the session with a navigable and manageable roadmap that they can complete with McShane & Bowie or another legal advisor of their choice.

Additionally, there is funding available to provide succession planning participants with a financial incentive. Once a succession plan is completed, participants can receive a reimbursement of 10% of the total cost to complete the plan (up to $3,000). Farmers must submit a form, an invoice, and proof of payment by June 30, 2022, to receive the funds. These funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on this succession planning consultation, visit mifarmlink.org/succession-planning To schedule an appointment, email ajk@msblaw.com or call 616.732.5067.

The MiFarmLink Project is a collaborative effort spearheaded by a USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant administered through Ottawa County. This public-private partnership aims to help shepherd prime farmland from its current stewards into the hands of the next generation, and help these new farmers fill this vital role and be successful.

To learn more, visit MiFarmLink.org, or email info@mifarmlink.org

About the Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Program

With area farmers producing more than $506 million in products annually (2017 Ag Census), Ottawa County is an agricultural powerhouse. Ottawa is also the fastest growing county in the state and has a low unemployment rate. But this positive growth comes at a cost to agriculture: between 2012 and 2017, Ottawa County lost 8 percent of its farmed acreage and 17 percent of its farms. Ottawa County's Farmland Preservation Program seeks to protect this vital industry and slow the loss of farms and farmland through programmatic efforts, including the Purchase of Development Rights Program.