American Farmland Trust and State Agriculture Department Announce Next Group of Working Lands Workshops MADISON-Additional workshops focusing on the future of Wisconsin's working lands have been scheduled across the state for February and March.
Sponsors are the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), American Farmland Trust's Campaign for Wisconsin Farm and Forest Lands and numerous state and local groups interested in protecting Wisconsin's agricultural and forested lands.
DATCP's Working Lands Initiative focuses on updating Wisconsin's farmland preservation program and providing new tools to protect working lands, including agricultural enterprise areas and purchase of agricultural conservation easements to complement local efforts.
The next round of workshops follow on the heels of six successful gatherings in late 2008, five hosted by the Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) and one hosted by La Crosse County. More than 450 people took part in those workshops.
"We were impressed by participation in the 2008 workshops, and we're hoping to build on that success. We encourage a robust discussion of this vitally important topic in 2009," said DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen.
Workshops, locations, times, main sponsors and contacts for registration information include:
Janesville, Wednesday, Feb. 4: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Pontiac Convention Center, 2809 Pontiac Dr., hosted by the Rock Environmental Network, contact Randy Thompson, 608-757-5696
Madison, Tuesday, Feb. 24: location to be announced, hosted by Natural Heritage Land Trust and Capital Area Regional Planning Commission, contact Jim Welsh, 608-258-9797
Town of Oconomowoc, Wednesday, Feb. 25: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Oconomowoc Town Hall, W359 N6812 Brown St., hosted by Tall Pines Conservancy, contact Susan Buchanan, 262-369-0500
Juneau, Wednesday, Feb. 25: 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Dodge County Administration Building, 1st Floor Conference Room, 127 East Oak St., hosted by Dodge County Land Resources and Parks Department and Drumlin Area Land Trust, contact Nate Olson, 920-386-3948
Burlington, Thursday, Feb. 26: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Burlington Gateway Campus, Room 102, 380 McCanna Parkway, hosted by Racine County and Kenosha County Land and Water Conservation Departments, contact Chad Sampson, 262-886-8479, or Rose Skora, 262-857-1948
Town of Saukville, Thursday, Feb. 26: 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Saukville Town Hall, 3762 Lakeland Rd., hosted by the Land Conservation Partnership of Ozaukee County, contact Andy Holschbach, 262-284-8271
New Richmond, Wednesday, March 11: time to be announced, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Cashman Conference Center, 1019 South Knowles Ave., hosted by West Central Regional Planning Commission, contact Jay B. Tappen, 715-836-2918
Wausau, Thursday, March 12: time to be announced, North Central Technical College, hosted by Marathon County Conservation, Planning and Zoning Department and Lincoln County Land Information and Conservation Department, contact Andy Johnson, 715-261-6002
Ashland, date and time to be announced, Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center, 29270 County Hwy. G, Agriculture and Energy Resource Center, contact Will Pipkin, 888-379-5490
Agendas for the workshops vary depending on goals of local sponsors, but all will feature a presentation by Bob Wagner, senior director, Farmland Protection Programs, American Farmland Trust. DATCP will also provide information on the components of the Working Lands Initiative proposal.
AFT's Wagner has made presentations across the country on the importance of farmland and the variety of tools and techniques used by communities to protect farmland resources. He was impressed with the earlier Wisconsin workshops. "The turnout and level of interest suggest a commitment to exploring and considering options to promote and encourage the contribution of agriculture to local economies and the future of Wisconsin communities," Wagner said.
In the fall of 2008, DATCP, in cooperation with AFT, requested local sponsors to apply to host workshops. Local sponsors from all over the state responded, leading to the 2008 and 2009 workshops.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Government of Canada and Prince Edward Island Launch Flexible and Innovative Growing Forward Programs for Producers
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and the Honourable George Webster today announced details of new agricultural programs for farmers in Prince Edward Island under the Growing Forward framework. The announcement follows the signing of the Growing Forward bilateral and contribution agreements by ....
Working with Partners - The Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island today announced that they will work in partnership with a private sector partner on a project that will help PEI maximize its renewable energy resources, and result in real and concrete reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. Participating ....
