Grant County Farmland Preservation

Working Lands Initiative:Changes to the law regarding Farmland Preservation

On June 29, 2009, Governor Doyle signed the Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative into law as part of the state’s 2009-2011 biennial budget process. The goal of the Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative is to achieve preservation of areas significant for current and future agricultural uses through the successful implementation of the following components:

1. Expand and modernize the state’s existing farmland preservation program.
2. Establish agricultural enterprise areas (AEAs).
3. Develop a purchase of agricultural conservation easement matching grant program (PACE).

This change to the existing farmland preservation law affects all participants in the farmland preservation program. Under the new program, participants will receive $7.50/acre. In addition, a conversion fee will be placed on all lands taken out of the farmland preservation program.

Some counties will revise their current farmland preservation plans to create opportunities for landowners to participate in the Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative program and to allow landowners who no longer wish to participate a means of opting-out to avoid paying a conversion fee.

SWWRPC is working with DATCP and UW Extension to develop materials and resources to assist communities in our region with this new initiative. UW Extension and SWWRPC will be hosting a series of informational workshops to allow landowners, developers, and other concerned citizens an opportunity to ask questions about the changes to the farmland preservation program. Times and dates for those workshops will be announced at a later date.

Important links:

• DATCP's Working Lands Initiative Website
  • Farmland Preservation Planning
  • Farmland Preservation Zoning
  • Conversion Fees
  • Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEA)
  • Farmland Preservation Agreements
  • Farmland Preservation Tax Credits
  • Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE)
  • Soil & Water Conservation Compliance
  • Downloadable Applications & Forms

   

Important documents:

• Information Sheet: Program Summary
• Transitioning from the Farmland Preservation Program to the Working Lands Program
• Final Report of the Steering Committee
• Plan certification expiration dates
• Presentation: September 2009 Training Session
• County Application for Farmland Preservation Plan Certification
• Conversion Fees
• Ordinance Application Form
• Minimum Standards for Non-farm Residences
• Farmland Preservation Zoning District
• Brown County Responses to Working Lands Iniative