Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership Project - American Farmland Trust

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Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership Project

Wisconsin joins forces to protect vital farmland

In 2009, Wisconsin passed the Working Lands Initiative, creating the state’s first ever Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements program. After funding one round of easements, however, no additional resources were allocated to the program, creating a significant hurdle for farmers seeking options to keep their land available for agriculture.

The Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership Project seeks to address the need for increased agricultural conservation easement funding in the state. The partnership plans to slow the loss of vital agricultural land by accelerating permanent Wisconsin farm land protection statewide.

News and Upcoming Events

Check here for updates, new research, and how to join an upcoming workshop!

What’s at stake when Wisconsin loses its agricultural land?

Agriculture contributes nearly $105 billion to Wisconsin’s economy and over 11% of the state’s employment. As agricultural land disappears, so do jobs and businesses that rely on that land. Farmland also provides a significant opportunity for improving the state’s environmental resources and helping meet the increasing challenges of a changing climate.

Through our partnership, we hope to provide opportunities for community members and farmers that will help protect Wisconsin farm and agricultural land.

Project Goals

The Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership Project

The goals of the Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership Project are to:

  • Dramatically increase the number of farms and acres permanently protected in the next five years
  • Utilize easement dollars strategically, where they are most needed.
  • Leverage partner contributions to access federal funding for conservation practices.
  • Demonstrate to state decision makers that agricultural conservation easements can effectively preserve the state’s agricultural land base.
  • Increase farmland access and tenure opportunities for historically disadvantaged and underserved farmers.

Project Partners

Thank you to our partners for working together to protect Wisconsin farmland and promote conservation easements!

For more information, contact: