Ottawa County is a leader in agricultural production.  It is the most agriculturally diverse county in Michigan and consistently ranked in the top 100 counties in the nation for its value of agricultural products sold.  Our strength in agriculture, however, is also combined with an exceptional quality of life that attracts new residents and businesses to our communities.  This population growth places added pressure on farmers to retain the land needed to produce fresh, locally grown food.

“In order for our agriculture industry to continue to thrive, it’s imperative that we work collectively to protect our productive farmland from development,” stated Cliff Meeuwsen, Chair of the Ottawa County Agricultural Preservation Board and President of Zeeland Farm Services.  The County’s Farmland Preservation Program is in place to help safeguard farm operations from continued development pressure.

Interested landowners can apply to preserve their farms through the Farmland Preservation Program.  Applications can be downloaded from the County’s website at www.miottawa.org and are due by March 30, 2018.

More information regarding Ottawa County’s Farmland Preservation Program can be found online at www.miottawa.org/departments/planning/PDR_program.htm.  To make a tax-deductible donation to the Ottawa County Farmland Preservation Fund, please visit the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland Area at www.cfhz.org.  All donations are used to preserve our local farms.