Photo credits: (l to r) Nichols,
USDA; Koles, UWEX; Cole, USDA.
The University of Wisconsin-Extension and the
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
partnered to host a series of one-day educational workshops focused
on sustaining Wisconsin’s working lands. The workshops were held
February 26-28, 2007 in three locations across the state, including
Menomonie, Kimberly and Oconomowoc. In total, over 600 people
attended the workshops representing 57 of 72 counties. Participants
included farmers, land owners, planners, attorneys, developers, real
estate professionals, local and state officials, and interested
citizens.
The
objectives of the workshops were to:
-
Increase understanding of how to protect working lands through the
use of voluntary programs such as purchase or transfer of
development rights;
-
Increase knowledge of the necessary steps to take at the local and
state level to implement these programs;
-
Create a network of individuals and organizations interested in a
continued discussion of innovative agriculture development
implementation tools; and
- Showcase Wisconsin
examples of local leadership in addressing land use and
agriculture issues.