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Wanted: Perspective from the fields
The County is surveying more than 1,600 owners or renters of agriculturally zoned land in Ottawa County on the subject of farmland preservation. The results of this second survey will help the County continue to support the needs of local landowners and ensure the continued sustainability of the agriculture sector. [Photo by Rich C. Lakeberg/Ottawa County]
Ottawa County and Farm Bureau seek input from farmers, landowners on continued farmland preservation strategies
With well over $700 million in farm products sold annually (2022 Census of Agriculture) and thousands employed in the industry on farms and at food-processing facilities, it's not hard to see why agriculture is important to Ottawa County. But this storied local industry faces threats including development pressure and a lack of new farmers entering the profession.
Over the past few years the County has taken steps to reinforce and protect this important economic sector. Underpinning these targeted efforts has been the County's Focus on Agriculture Plan - a guiding framework informed by data gathered from a first-of-its-kind Farmland Preservation Survey. First conducted in 2019 with support of the Ottawa County Farm Bureau, this survey of farmers and owners of agriculturally zoned land made the Focus on Agriculture Plan possible.
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 What the survey envelope will look like for recipients.
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Now, a half-decade later, it's time for another assessment. On its way to more than 1,600 mailboxes is a 14-question survey that aims to gauge the community opinions on the County's farmland preservation strategy as well as review, identify and adjust other planning strategies. The results of this second survey will help the County continue to support the needs of local landowners and ensure the continued sustainability of the agriculture sector.
Over the next week, those who own or rent more than five agriculturally zoned acres should be receiving a physical copy of the survey by mail. Respondents have the choice of returning the survey in a provided envelope postage paid by March 16, 2026, or taking the survey online by scanning the QR code or by visiting bit.ly/ocfarmsurvey26.
The results of the first survey in 2019 revealed an overwhelming majority of landowners - 82% - thought farmland loss was an issue worth addressing.
"We do this for the community. That initial survey set us on a solid path toward our current multi-pronged approach to farmland protection - one that's resulted in hundreds more preserved acres and development of programs like MiFarmLink," said Agriculture and Economic Development Coordinator Becky Huttenga. "It's time we check back in again."
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"We do this for the community. That initial survey set us on a solid path toward our current multi-pronged approach to farmland protection - one that’s resulted in hundreds more preserved acres and development of programs like MiFarmLink."
Agriculture and Economic Development Coordinator Becky Huttenga
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County accepting applications for farmland preservation program
If you are an active farmer or landowner interested in farmland protection, there is no time like the present: now through April 30, 2026, landowners may apply to preserve their eligible agriculturally zoned property through the County's Purchase of Development Rights Program.
Landowners guard their property from development by creating a permanent agricultural conservation easement, which guarantees the land can only be used for farming. Learn more about the nine properties currently protected via PDR and complete a pre-application by visiting miottawa.org/farmlandpreservation.
Free succession planning event set for March 17
Farmland succession planning is important but can be intimidating. Get started and ensure your farm's future at Farming Forward - a free succession planning and land-linking workshop set for March 17 at King Milling Co. in Lowell. Sessions will cover estate planning, agriculture conservation easements, tools to connect beginning farmers with your land if you lack an heir, and mediation services for when things don't go as planned.
Learn more and register by visiting miottawa.org/farmingforward, email haley.stichman@kentcountymi.gov, or call 616-632-7593.
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About the Farmland Preservation Program
Ottawa County strives to protect the local agriculture industry through education, advocacy, economic development support and promoting the benefits of creating agricultural easements through the PDR program. Learn more about Ottawa County's farmland preservation efforts by visiting miottawa.org/farmland.
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