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Every year, America loses 1.2 million acres of farmland, much of it our best and most productive farmland near where most Americans live. More than 25,000 acres of farmland per year are converted to development in Wisconsin.
What's New
In an important step forward in the implementation of the new Working Lands Initiative, farmers, town officials, planning commission members and others participated in six workshops held during the last week of October and the first week of November. Attendees left with valuable information on topics like changes to the existing Farmland Preservation Program; purchase of agricultural conservation easements; agricultural enterprise areas; and claiming farmland preservation tax credits. Download the workshop schedule and details [PDF].
Wisconsin Projects
On June 29, Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law a budget that included the Working Lands Initiative, a measure creating new land preservation tools for Wisconsin farmers. American Farmland Trust and its allies worked tirelessly to promote the initiative which Gov. Doyle stated “encourages the long-term preservation of Wisconsin’s fertile farmlands and supports commitments by farmers to manage their land in an environmentally friendly manner.” What’s more, the final version of the budget struck controversial changes to the tax code that would have weighed heavily on farmers and put working lands across the state in jeopardy.
focus on Wisconsin
Environmentally sustainable foods may be on the top of everyone’s mind these days-- but where do we find them and how do we know that they are eco-friendly? Look to the story of the Wisconsin's own Eco-potato for one answer. Healthy Grown, the eco-potato label, ensures food is grown environmentally consciously. More and more producers are willing to accept the risks and tackle the efforts inherent in changing to environmental farming to qualify for the many certification programs. Some certifications even go beyond regulating chemical use by encouraging farmland protection measures and requiring sales to local markets.
FederAl Farm Policy and The farm bill
What’s in the farm bill and why is it important? Find out what’s next for the farm bill and how we can make sure the legislation's promises are turned into programs on the ground.
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Wisconsin Working Lands Update 
Hot Potato, 
