Two Days of Agricultural Law Education in West Virginia
An Agricultural & Natural Resources Law Summit will be held in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, featuring discussions on data center policy, land use regulation, and water rights. The agenda also highlights proposed Ohio legislation, House Bill 646, addressing data center development impacts in the state.
The Agricultural & Natural Resources Law Summit is scheduled for September 22-23, 2026, at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Co-sponsored by OSU's Agricultural & Resource Law Program, the event will gather attorneys and agricultural professionals to discuss critical legal issues affecting agriculture.
Key topics on the agenda include "Mid-Atlantic Data Centers: Policy Drivers & Land Use Regulation," "Land Use: Zoning, Exemptions & Comprehensive Plans," and "An Overview of Water Rights and Water Allocation in the Mid-Atlantic Region." The program will also cover farm financial stress, right-to-farm laws, pesticide litigation, and ag labor law trends.
Additionally, the article notes concerns regarding data center development impacts on agriculture and communities in Ohio. Ohio House Bill 646, introduced by Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery) on January 15, indicates lawmakers are addressing these issues through proposed legislation.