BLUFFTON, Ohio — The West Central Ohio Land Conservancy plans a free afternoon gathering focused on regional farming and rural history on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 1 to 4 p.m. The site is the Swiss Community Historical Society and the 1843 Schumacher Homestead at 8350 Bixel Road in Pandora.
The event, Farms, Barns & Rural Heritage, also recognizes the conservancy's 20th anniversary. According to the announcement, doors open at 1 p.m. and presentations begin at 1:30 with a session on the history of west central Ohio barns led by local historian Keith Sommer. Later talks cover family and farm history research with the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, farmland protection with WCOLC, and the Century Farms program and farmland preservation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. A 3:30 tour of the Schumacher Homestead is scheduled with the Swiss Community Historical Society.
Attendees can also find information on preserving farmland and historic barns, researching family and farm history, and connecting with groups involved in local history and agricultural preservation, the announcement says. The event is free, open to the public and requires no registration; light refreshments will be provided.
WCOLC Executive Director Katie Ware said in the announcement that the anniversary event is a chance to try something new by bringing together organizations, residents and partners, while sharing the conservancy's story and the importance of protecting working lands and natural areas.
WCOLC describes itself as a nonprofit land trust serving Hancock, Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam and Van Wert counties. It says it has worked since 2006 to protect working lands and natural areas through farmland preservation, conservation easements, outreach, education and advocacy. Sponsors listed include Hempy Water Conditioning, Citizens National Bank, Legacy Farmers Cooperative, Visit Findlay!, and Hitchings Insurance Agency.