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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:
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Increase understanding of how to protect working lands through the
use of voluntary programs such as purchase or transfer of
development rights;
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Increase knowledge of the necessary steps to take at the local and
state level to implement these programs;
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Create a network of individuals and organizations interested in a
continued discussion of innovative agriculture development
implementation tools; and
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Showcase Wisconsin
examples of local leadership in addressing land use and
agriculture issues.
Presentations:
Why Saving
Farmland is Vital to Wisconsin's Future,
Rod Nilsestuen, DATCP Secretary
An overview of agriculture development and land use trends as well
as policy initiatives.
Farmland Protection: An Overview
of Local/State Tools and Programs, Scott Everett,
American Farmland Trust Great Lakes Regional Director
An examination of programs being used by state and local governments
throughout the nation, including a review of economic, fiscal, and
conservation benefits of preservation.
Farmland Protection in Lancaster
County Pennsylvania,
Gene Garber, Chairman, Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board
A review of farmland preservation from the perspective of a farmer
and leader who chairs the agricultural preserve board in the
country’s most successful community at permanently preserving
farmland.
The Carroll County Maryland Farmland Protection Program,
Ralph Robertson, Program Manager, Carroll County Agricultural
Preservation Program
Presentation on the Carroll County Agricultural Preservation
Program, which first focused on zoning and eventually on purchase of
development rights that has preserved over 50,000 acres.
State and Local Steps for Successful Farmland Preservation,
Scott Everett, American Farmland Trust Great Lakes Regional
Director. Suggested steps at the state and local level to
successfully implement PDR, TDR, and related programs.
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