Local farmers, elected officials, and agricultural leaders gathered Thursday morning at Hopewell Methodist Church in Bellefontaine for the Logan County Farm Bureau’s Annual Policy Meeting.
A wide range of topics were on the agenda, including land preservation, drone activity, solar energy development, and state conservation programs.
Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram addressed the crowd, urging the Farm Bureau to continue supporting the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) program.
He emphasized that the system is functioning well and should remain in place.
Commissioner Antram also acknowledged growing reports of suspicious drone activity in rural parts of the county.
One local farmer shared that drones had flown over his family’s property on multiple occasions—at times even appearing outside the windows of his home.
Jill Smith, Farm Bureau Director, reminded attendees that while drone activity can be concerning, it is a federal offense to shoot them down.
Antram noted that the Logan County Sheriff’s Office is actively working with surrounding counties facing similar incidents.
The conversation then turned to land use and preservation.
Updates were shared on the H2Ohio program, which now has over 12,000 acres under contract in the county, supporting clean water and conservation goals.
Additionally, the Logan County Land Trust has secured preservation agreements on roughly 4,000 acres and continues to seek more century farms to add to its growing list—currently numbering over 20.
Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman also addressed the group, encouraging a “yes” vote on Issue 2 in the upcoming election.
The issue represents a renewal—not a new tax—and would continue bringing approximately $900,000 annually to Logan County for infrastructure and public works projects.
Jacob King, representing The Ohio State University Extension Office, provided an update on local outreach efforts.
He shared that after a long absence, the county once again has a dedicated extension agent and encouraged residents to take advantage of the available resources.
Another topic of interest among attendees was the possibility of developing a “Master Land Use Plan” for Logan County.
Many expressed hope that such a plan would help guide responsible growth while preserving the region’s rural character and farming heritage.
In closing, Farm Bureau leadership announced that the Logan County Annual Meeting will be held at the Logan County Fair later this year.
While the exact date and time are still to be determined, members are encouraged to stay tuned for more information.
Logan County Farm Bureau President, Joel Penhorwood talks policy, tariffs and upcoming events:
