Assessments / Evaluation Tools
Ohio livestock and poultry farmers can evaluate the effectiveness of their plans through planning tools and resources. The following tools are designed to help improve your operation’s efficiency, make sure you are conforming to current regulations, and provide you with a road map to ensure environmentally sound management techniques today and well into the future.
Some of the evaluations may not apply to your operation; however, they may give you ideas on other activities that you may want to do.
Farm grants, loans and financial planning
The state of Ohio provides financial assistance for agricultural operations through various programs.
Water Pollution Control Loan Fund
The Ohio EPA administers the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund, which provides below-market interest rate loans for non-point source water pollution control activities. This program also provides technical assistance in the planning, design, construction and management of these projects.
Tax Increment Financing
Tax increment financing (TIF) is a mechanism to finance public infrastructure by redirecting new real property tax revenues to a targeted debt retirement fund. Generally, a portion of the value of new real property improvements occurring on specified parcels are exempted within the formal local TIF authorizing legislation. While a portion of the value of the real property improvements is exempt, the property owner must agree to make a Service Payment in Lieu of Taxes equal to the amount of real property taxes the improvement would have generated had the property not been exempted. This payment is due at the same time property taxes are payable.
There are several types of TIF financing authorized within the ORC – municipal, township and county – and each varies to some degree. Some tax redirection capability also exists within the ORC. To be eligible, public infrastructure improvements specified within the authorizing legislation may already be complete, in the process of construction, or to be made. ODOD, which oversees this program, suggests that the real property improvements to the specified parcels should not begin until after the TIF legislation and Service Payment in Lieu of Taxes contract are in place. However, an improvement under construction, but which has not yet been assessed for property taxation, may be eligible
For more information, click here.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers who implement conservation practices that improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related natural resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. EQIP may also help farmers meet federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
To learn more about the benefits of the program and who is eligible, click here.
Ohio Agriculture Pollution Abatement
Ohio’s Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program (APAP) may provide farmers with cost share assistance to develop and implement best management practices on their farms to protect Ohio’s streams and waterways. This program has been successful in helping to alleviate concerns associated with agricultural operations, which can create soil erosion and manure runoff.
The APAP is administered by ODA-Division of Soil and Water Conservation and implemented locally by all 88 SWCDs. To learn more about the program, contact your local SWCD for technical and potential financial assistance. Dependent upon the best management practice being installed, the program offers three levels of funding caps, including:
- High ($15,000)
- Medium ($10,000)
- Low ($5,000)
Each funding level has a 75 percent cost share rate “not to exceed” a total of $15,000 per farmer per year.
Other Related Links
State Environmental Incentive Programs
Agriculture Pollution Abatement Program
Clean Ohio Fund (Agriculture Easement Fund)
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program
Ohio Environmental Education Funds
Water Pollution Control Loan Fund
Linked Deposit Program through WPCLF
Federal Incentive Programs available in Ohio
Emergency Watershed Protection Program
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Forest Land Enhancement Program
Resource Conservation and Development Program
Farm Audits / Evaluation
Below are a few sample farm audits and evaluation forms to self-assess how you’re managing your farm operation.