Updates
Nov 11, 2011
DATCP Now Accepting Agricultural Enterprise Area Petitions for 2012
Now is the time for local governments and farmers interested in protecting their agricultural land base and strengthening their rural economy to apply for the 2012 Agricultural Enterprise Area (AEA) designation. Receiving designation as an AEA can encourage additional investment in the local economy; create a sense of certainty about the future of agriculture in the community, and enable farmers to claim an income tax credit for eligible land.
Nov 09, 2011
Interactive Webmap for AEAs Now Available
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has developed an interactive webmap to view information related to designated Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEAs). The webmap is now available for viewing.
Sep 08, 2011
2011 Ag. Enterprise Area Forum
Registration is still available to attend the September 27, 2011 Agricultural Enterprise Area Forum -- "Preparing for Wisconsin's Agricultural and Economic Future." To register, visit: http://datcpservices.wisconsin.gov/confreg/agforum.jsp
Aug 11, 2011
Partnering for Progress Barn Dance
An old-fashioned barn dance and harvest celebration with a lively band, locally-grown food and bushels of fun in a beautifully restored, 160-year-old barn on a fifth-generation, grass-based, family dairy farm that crafts its milk into artisanal cheeses.
Jun 30, 2011
Governor Signs State Budget
The state budget signed by Gov. Walker over the weekend did not include any partial vetoes related to the state Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) Program. Therefore, the changes to the PACE Program voted on by the Legislature will now become law. The final version of the state budget also preserved other key elements of the Working Lands Initiative.
Jun 20, 2011
Winners Announced for Rod Nilsestuen Award for Working Lands Preservation
Alan Sweeney and Jim Matson were recently named the winners of the Rod Nilsestuen Award for Working Lands Preservation. This award recognizes individuals or organizations that exhibit extraordinary commitment to the preservation of Wisconsin's working lands. It honors Rod Nilsestuen's legacy as a longtime Wisconsin agriculture, cooperative and conservation leader.
Jun 07, 2011
Second Round of AEAs Would Add 140,000 Acres
Just over 140,000 acres in Wisconsin have been recommended to become part of the Agricultural Enterprise Area program, where connecting blocks of mainly agricultural land are targeted for agricultural preservation and agricultural development by local communities.
Jun 06, 2011
Joint Finance Votes to Keep PACE, but Work Isn’t Done
The work of thousands of supporters of farmland protection across Wisconsin paid off when the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance voted to keep the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (PACE) on the books.
Jun 04, 2011
Action Needed Now
The Joint Committee on Finance is set to take up the Working Lands Initiative on Wednesday, May 18. This may be our last chance to preserve a strong farmland protection program in Wisconsin.