Editor’s note: This is the second of a four-part series about the economic factors of hydraulic fracturing.
While some Athens landowners are raking in the green from lucrative mineral leases, other local farmers are fighting for their right to remain green.
Since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirmed negative environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” last month, many organic farmers in Athens County are worried for the health of their crops and the agricultural future of the county.
Because Ohio agriculture generates more than $107 billion annually, many local farmers do not understand how Ohio politicians can support oil and gas companies that could potentially ruin Ohio’s No. 1 industry.
Warren Taylor, owner and CEO of Snowville Creamery, said the recent actions of Ohio’s politicians benefit the oil and gas industry instead of Ohioans.
“I would normally expect my politicians to not put myself or my colleagues in a position that could jeopardize their livelihood,” Taylor said. “Their actions represent their political corruption.”
The Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program, funded by Ohio’s crude-oil and natural-gas producers, released a study in September estimating more than 200,000 new jobs would be created by drilling in the state. However, in December 2011, Ohio State University released a similar study showing only 20,000 jobs would be created.
Inconsistencies in information released that boasted the benefits of bringing fracking to the state show that “Ohio’s representatives have been bought” and are less concerned about what really benefits residents, Taylor said.
New information and recent evidence linking water contamination to fracking are the backbone of many farmers’ decisions to not lease their mineral rights.
Rich Tomsu, a local organic farmer, said the contamination of his soil or water would result in the collapse of his business. As the top organic-garlic distributor in Southeast Ohio, Tomsu worries his farm’s integrity would be in as much jeopardy as his livelihood.
“Athens organic farmers are known for their quality foods. That is not a reputation one receives without earning it,” Tomsu said. “If people really understood what’s at stake, they wouldn’t do this.”
As a certified organic farmer, Tomsu said he could never ethically distribute his produce to customers if it were contaminated in any way.
Tomsu’s farm is only one mile away from property leased to the oil and gas industry — a distance that worries him.
Not only has fracking created concern for the livelihood of current farmers, but prospective farmers are feeling the heat as well. With oil and gas companies inflating property values throughout Athens County, many future farmers are having a hard time finding adequate acreage for a reasonable price.
Tomsu’s current farm manager, Randy Cooper, has been looking for a year and a half for property to start his own organic farm. Cooper said he has lowered his expectations in order to remain in Athens County, making his search that much harder.
“When oil and gas companies are buying land for $2,500 to $3,000 an acre — which is way over priced — it makes you realize you may not get what you were looking for,” Cooper said.
Cooper added that he does not see a positive outcome to leasing property, even if the money could help the landowner.
“People don’t realize that this is just a Band-Aid on the situation,” Cooper said. “They don’t get that Band-Aids fall off.”
kg287609@ohiou.edu
