Generations of Stewardship: Three Families Safeguard 12,000 Acres of Northern Ohio Farmland
Western Reserve Land Conservancy has partnered with three farm families—the Thompson family, the Miller family, and the Bumb family—in Northern Ohio over nearly 20 years to protect Ohio’s rich farmland soils. With a combined total of 12,000 acres, these three families have helped ensure Ohio will have flourishing farmland for generations to come.
Agriculture is Ohio’s number one industry, employing one in eight Ohioans and accounting for more than $124 billion to Ohio’s economy. As such, it is crucial that farmland is protected as areas face development and change. In addition to farmland, the properties that these families have protected include forested areas, wetlands, and stream corridors—all providing tremendous ecological benefits and wildlife habitat.
Thompson Property
The Thompson family has protected an impressive 4,600 acres of farmland. Dick and Chad Thompson, father and son, have granted 33 conservation easements to the Land Conservancy since their first 268-acre easement in 2008. The conservation easements are primarily in Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties, with a few in Mercer County, Western Pennsylvania. With three more conservation easements currently underway with the Land Conservancy, the Thompsons will likely conserve over 5,000 acres by the end of 2025.
“We have a long history working with the Land Conservancy. Over the course of nearly twenty years, we have seen major changes in the region, and know we’ve made the right decision in placing conservation easements to protect our properties,” said Dick and Chad. “By conserving our properties, we have given other area landowners a level of comfort, and in turn, they have donated easements. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Land Conservancy to preserve more farmland.”
Miller Family
W.I. Miller and Sons is a 5th generation grain farm owned by Robert, Rusty, Dean, and Ben Miller. The family operates a diversified agriculture business that includes fertilizer and herbicide sales, small grain seed production, and implement leasing, in addition to their row crop operation that focuses on corn, beans, wheat, and oats. With more than 4,200 acres preserved over 26 properties in Trumbull and Ashtabula Counties, the Millers are running close behind the Thompsons, their neighbors and friends, in conserved acreage. The two families’ farms are separated by just a few miles; their contributions to farmland preservation are protecting prime soils, the rural heritage, and local economy of northern Trumbull and southern Ashtabula Counties. Their reputation and credibility with other local farmers and landowners have led to over 10,000 acres of protected land in the area.
“Farming is a way of life for our family,” said Ben Miller. “It’s important to us that the land that we’ve worked on for generations permanently remains undeveloped and continues to provide for our community. Thanks to the Land Conservancy, we are able to guarantee just that.”
Bumb Family
Bob and Deb Bumb began working with the Land Conservancy in 2013, preserving approximately 2,200 acres in 2013 and 2014 predominantly in Huron County where their base of operations is located. Bob, an 8th generation farmer, and Deb, a 7th generation farmer, took the lead from Deb’s parents who preserved over 600 acres a couple years prior. Bob and Deb preserved additional farmland in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024 and already have additional tracts of farmland in the works to preserve in 2025 and 2026.
“Competition for farmland in our region for non-farm uses has greatly driven up the price of farmland,” said Bob and Deb. “Working with the Land Conservancy accomplishes our goals of ensuring our prime farmland soils will be available for future generations, and the associated federal income tax benefits help our bottom line and make farmland more affordable.”
In total, Bob and Deb have granted 30 conservation easements on over 3,000 acres. The properties are part of a large grain farm operation comprising nearly 9,000 acres of owned and leased land that spans several counties and two states.
“We are honored to work with these dedicated families to preserve Ohio’s rich agricultural lands,” said Andy McDowell, vice president of western field operations at the Land Conservancy. “Families like the Bumbs, Millers, and Thompsons are also pillars in their communities and set an example for others who have already followed their lead.”