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.