Milford, Ohio The Cardinal Land Conservancy (CLC) is the epitome of what we like to call a “friend to farmers.” The Milford, OH-based nonprofit is on a mission to protect land from long-term development. That effort involves working hand in hand with landowners, communities, and farmers to sustain farmland and natural assets across seven counties in Southwest Ohio.

“As a land trust that includes over 7,500 acres of agricultural easements, we help keep family farms in the family,” says Executive Director Andy Dickerson. By leasing easements to individual farmers, larger farms, and community entities, Cardinal Land Conservancy acts as the owner/protector of the land, while empowering the farmers to do what they do best: grow, till, and harvest.

Partnering with farmers in this way has taken the organization a step closer to food and, essentially, its source. “We love local food,” Dickerson explains, “but we weren’t exactly sure what, if any, our role would be with the [actual growing of] food—because we protect the land.”

But a recent 30-acre land gift from Carol and Dale Bahr of the historic Bahr Farm in Cincinnati’s College Hill neighborhood has helped the Conservancy visualize their future with food. Up close with livestock is just one example: “Our Harvest [the worker-owned farming cooperative] operates on seven acres of the Bahr farmland among Black Angus cattle,” Dickerson says.

In addition to the sprawling pasture and vegetable gardens at Bahr Farm, Dickerson cites continued enhancements taking shape, including a new gravel road on the property and pond restoration. But more than these physical changes to the farm, Dickerson says the organization is most excited about “the potential of community engagement in the months to come.”

With farming, food, and community at the heart of the Cardinal Land Conservancy’s vision, their commitment to protecting and supporting the preservation of land is nothing short of heroic.

Cardinal Land Conservancy
790 Garfield Ave., Milford, OH
513.752.2828