Agricultural Technical Services & Resources

Our roots are in agriculture, providing technical services and bringing funding into Mahoning County. We work with our partner, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and, together, we have brought in nearly $1 million of funding to put toward agricultural improvement in the county.

We also provide technical assistance, educational programs and workshops for local farmers, landowners and the agricultural community in areas including:

  • Cover crops
  • Grass waterways
  • Pollinator fields
  • Grazing management plans
  • Soil testing & web soil survey
  • Pond development and maintenance plans
  • StreamStats for water-resources planning and management and for engineering and design purposes

Funding Sources for Agricultural Improvement

Current Agricultural Usage Valuation Program: Our office works with the county auditor’s office to create soil maps and complete inspections to verify that the property is still being used for agricultural purposes for which the program is intended for.

  • You must apply after the first Monday in January and before the first Monday in March.
  • New CAUV applicants and those currently enrolled in the CAUV program that are under the required 10 acre of agricultural production; please be aware that agricultural proof of income must come from your W-2 tax forms, specifically your schedule F. Any question can be directed towards the Mahoning County Auditor’s Office.
  • For more information about the CAUV program and who can apply, refer to Mahoning County Auditor Ralph Meacham’s press release and this brochure. Download the CAUV requirements and application.
  • In an effort to assist and inform agricultural property owners, the following fact sheet outlines key details to ensure a smooth enrollment process and adherence to program guidelines.

Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program: The Division of Soil and Water Conservation works with the Ohio Department of Agriculture to establish standards for a level of management and conservation practices in farming and animal feeding operations. The standards are intended to reduce the pollution of water by soil sediment, animal manure and residual farm products.

Timber Management/Logging: Our office works with landowners on a voluntary basis to provide technical assistance with timber management and logging jobs. The following technical services can be requested:

  • Timber Management Planning & Recommendations
  • Operation and Management Plans
  • Logging Site Reviews

The Ohio Timber Harvest Planning program is a voluntary program designed to assist woodland landowners, loggers and foresters with the pre-planning of logging activity. The program helps participants select best management practices that will reduce soil erosion and maintain the harvest site to state standards (Ohio Administrative Code 1501: 15-5-01 to 1501-5-18). Download the Ohio Logging BMP’s for sedimentation and erosion control here.

  • Prior to the start of a logging project, it is recommended that a Timber Harvest Notice of Intent (NOI) is filed with the Mahoning County SWCD. A landowner or logging company also has the option of submitting a Timber Harvest Plan. 
  • A Timber Harvest Notice of Intent (NOI) provides important contact information, the location of the logging operation and when the logging is going to occur. An NOI form can be downloaded here or by visiting the ODNR Division of Forestry website at http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/
  • A Timber Harvest Plan describes the best management practices that will be utilized during the operation to protect against erosion and the discharge of sediment into nearby waterways.
  • Call Before You Cut is an effort with multiple partners, including ODNR Division of Forestry to provide in-depth forest management information to Ohio landowners. For more information, please visit: http://callb4ucut.com. Click here to download a list of consulting foresters in Northeast Ohio.

Wildlife Food Plots/Guides: In addition to providing rental equipment to establish and maintain wildlife food plots, we also provide assistance with evaluating the proper site for a plot, testing the soil, and selecting a seed type. Our staff can assist with soil samples, assessment of the ideal location and seed suggestions.

Brassica food plots are effective in drawing late season deer and minimizing soil compaction.

Key Agriculture Partners

Back To Top