Working Lands Initiative Becomes Law as Gov. Doyle Signs Biennial Budget

We are happy to report that Governor Doyle has acted decisively to protect Wisconsin’s farm and forest lands. The Governor’s budget-neutral proposal creates a set of tools for farmers to protect working lands, including:   

• Much-needed updates to the state’s current Farmland Preservation Program
• $12 million for a new state Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) matching grants program to support local farmland protection efforts (including Purchase of Development Rights), and
• Establishment of voluntary Agricultural Enterprise Areas to encourage farmland preservation efforts and stimulate long-term investments in agriculture

Thanks to Gov. Doyle and the Wisconsin legislature for their commitment to protecting Wisconsin’s working lands, and to the Gathering Waters Conservancy, the Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection, as well as the Wisconsin Towns Association for their important roles in getting this legislation passed.

Protecting Wisconsin’s agricultural future isn’t over yet! Help protect working lands in your community by taking advantage of these initiatives. Stay tuned for information from the American Farmland Trust as the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) rolls out the new initiatives contained in the budget.

Wisconsin Land Use Workshops

The future of Wisconsin’s working lands is the focus workshops have been highly attended throughout the state in December and will continue through February and March. The Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) is sponsoring the workshops, in cooperation with several groups, including American Farmland Trust, Gathering Waters Conservancy and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

The Towns Association workshops are the first round of gatherings to be held in 2008 and 2009. They seek to provide information about and input on tools to protect farmland, open space and wooded acreage in rural areas while providing for sustainable development to accommodate local growth. The public is encouraged to participate.

Workshop registration, directions and an agenda are available on the WTA website. Interested people can also contact the Towns Association at 715-526-3157 or send an email.

The broad range of sponsors for the Towns Association workshops includes: Council of Rural Initiatives, Wisconsin Builders Association, Wisconsin Realtors Association, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Towns Association, Wisconsin Farmers Union, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Rock River Coalition, Driftless Area Land Conservancy, Glacial Lakes Land Conservancy and West Wisconsin Land Trust.

AFT’s Campaign for Wisconsin Farm and Forest Lands is an outreach and education effort that promotes working lands protection in the state. The Campaign is cooperating with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Working Lands Initiative. For more information, please contact Vicki Elkins, American Farmland Trust's Campaign and Policy Associate at (608) 251-9131.

AFT's Bob Wagner presenting at Wisconsin Working Lands Workshop

Working Lands Workshop Reinvigorating Farmland Protection in Wisconsin

Despite some wintry weather in December, more than five hundred Wisconsin residents attended Working Land Workshops held in meeting rooms across the state where improvements to Wisconsin’s farmland protection program were presented.  According to dairy farmer Karl Klessig, in an interview with Channel 5, correspondent Mike Austin, notes that these efforts go beyond farmland protection, “This isn’t about only preserving working lands, but it is really about a community development enhancement program.” If you missed the opportunity to attend, you can still view meeting proceedings captured by WI Eye.

Additional workshops will be held around the state in February and March.  Visit the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's "Working Lands Connection" Electronic Newsletter for information on upcoming programs.