Legal with Leah
Legal with Leah
Ohio Farm Bureau
Policy Counsel Leah Curtis discusses topics impacting farmers and landowners such as property rights, taxes and other legal and regulatory issues.
Legal with Leah: understanding Ohio's 2026 CAUV update
The 2026 Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) update brings lower values in many reappraisal counties and a significant policy win on permanent pasture. Leah Curtis, associate general counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau joins this Legal with Leah to break it all down and shares what farmers should expect.
Jul 9
6 min
Legal with Leah:  Meteorites and Trespassing
A recent meteorite in northeast Ohio has sparked fascination and a few legal questions. If a meteorite lands on private property, who owns it? Can people search for fragments on someone else's land? And what should landowners know about trespassing? On this Legal with Leah, Leah Curtis, associate general counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau discusses these questions and what this rare event can teach us about property rights.
Apr 28
5 min
Legal with Leah: Rails to Trails and Eminent Domain
A recent case in North Carolina has reached the Federal Circuit Appellate Court, addressing property rights and the proper compensation for when former rail lines are "banked" and converted into public trails. On this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel, Leah Curtis discusses "rails to trails" projects, potential impact on farmland when these conversions happen, and Farm Bureau's current litigation efforts on the case.
Apr 21
6 min
Legal with Leah: The questions around data centers
Plans for data centers continue to pop up around Ohio, and so do the questions that come with them. Leah Curtis, associate general counsel for Ohio Farm Bureau, joins this Legal with Leah to talk about what these centers mean for local communities and how to stay engaged in the development process.
Feb 10
15 min
Legal with Leah: Understanding the Change to Ohio's Pesticide Law
House Bill 10 introduced important reform to pesticide application rules in Ohio. On this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Associate Genera Counsel Leah Curtis explains why the changes matter for farm families.
Jan 21
4 min
Legal with Leah: Insight on Recent Property Tax Legislation
Four property tax reform bills were signed into Ohio law at the end of 2025. On this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis breaks down the bills and what the changes mean for Ohioans.
Jan 21
8 min
Legal with Leah - A Drone Policy Update
In recent years, there has been a new addition to our airspace. And while some may assume it's a bird or a plane, it may actually be a drone flying overhead. These unmanned aerial vehicles and systems can be a great instrument but can also create a nuisance. Leah Curtis, Associate General Counsel for the Ohio Farm Bureau gives an update on the latest policies surrounding drones.
Aug 18, 2025
4 min
Legal with Leah - CAUV Increases Continue
The CAUV or Current Agricultural Use Value program, where farmland is taxed at a rate that reflects its value for agricultural purposes instead of its value as development property, is increasing once again in 2025. For this Legal with Leah, get an update on CAUV values with Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis.
Aug 18, 2025
5 min
Legal with Leah - Changes to Ohio Pesticide Licensing Laws
Among a myriad of items included in the new state budget for Ohio, there are changes to pesticide licensing laws that Ohio Farm Bureau considers overly burdensome when it comes to the direct impact of Ohio agriculture. In this Legal with Leah, Ohio Farm Bureau Associate General Counsel, Leah Curtis discussed these changes and what farmers need to know as they go into effect. ODA Private Applicator Page: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/plant-health/pesticides/private
Jul 1, 2025
6 min
Legal with Leah - The Benefits of Ag Districts
On the Legal with Leah Podcast, CAUV is often discussed as a farmland preservation tool, but there are some other tools in the law that landowners can consider. Ohio Farm Bureau's Associate General Counsel Leah Curtis shared what benefits ag districts can have for landowners.
Mar 25, 2025
4 min
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