DATCP accepting applications for Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) grants, and petitions requesting designation of Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEA)

In recognizing the value of the region’s agricultural lands and the need to protect and preserve them, the charter resolution of local governments charged the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission to “efficiently provide services to support development and farmland preservation.” To address this responsibility, the Commission has adopted a goal to “protect agricultural lands and non-farm developments in order to maintain the county as one of the nation’s most productive agriculture areas.”

In 2009, the Commission established a work group to further examine the policies and criteria affecting farmland development and protection. The Commission published FARMLAND LOSS IN DANE COUNTY, the first of a series of issue papers identifying the problems, farmland characteristics, existing farmland reservation efforts, and new opportunities to preserve agricultural lands.

The work group is currently working on the remaining issue papers. For more information about the workgroup meetings click here

Farmlands And Farm Operations In Dane County, FLM2 Issue Paper

The purpose of this issue paper is to characterize agricultural operations and systems in Dane County.
This document provides this information for the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC)
workgroup on Farmland Loss Mitigation. The workgroup is seeking ways to better fulfill the CARPC
charge to develop a Regional Master Plan (pursuant to sec. 66.0309, Wis. Stats.). Additionally, CARPC is
to work with local units of government to create, adopt, and implement Future Urban Development Area
(FUDA) plans that consider development impact on the region’s ability to “efficiently provide services to
support development and farmland preservation” as stated in the local resolutions supporting the
formation of CARPC. Moreover, the workgroup seeks to develop recommendations for policies and
criteria that further the CARPC Goal 9, to “protect agricultural lands and limit non-farm developments in order to maintain the county as one of the nation’s most productive agriculture areas” as well as
numerous objectives regarding rural form, design, and development. Click here for a complete list of CARPC Goals and Objectives, and CARPC Policies and Criteria.

Click here to view report. (Large file, 36mb)

E-mail review comments or questions to Bridgit Van Belleghem.

Characterizing Farmland Loss in Dane County

Dane County is one of the most agriculturally productive regions in Wisconsin, which is one of the most agriculturally productive states in the nation. In 2007, Dane County ranked first in the state with a $470 million agricultural market value.i In 2004, according to the University of Wisconsin-Extension and Dane County, agriculture accounted for $3.19 billion in economic activity, which is about 11% of the county’s total economic activity.ii

Dane County is also one of the fastest growing regions in the state.iii This growth is anticipated to add about 50,000 persons to Dane County every 10 years. If rural, suburban, and urban development needed to accommodate this projected growth is located on agricultural lands, the county’s potential for continued excellence in agricultural production and environmental quality will be compromised. Dane County towns, villages, and cities are challenged to accommodate population growth while ensuring a productive and viable agricultural economy and the integrity of the ecological services the lands provide.

See Report Here


i 2007 Census of Agriculture State and County Data, Wisconsin. USDA Agricultural Census. link
ii Dane County Agriculture: Value and economic impact. University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, Dane County, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, 2004. link
iii Final Population Projections for Wisconsin Counties by Components of Change: 2000 – 2030. Department of Administration: Demographic Services. January 2004. link

Working Lands Workshop For Farmland Preservation in Dane County

The first in a series of workshops was held on February 24th, 2009 and included discussion about farmland loss and the potential tools and strategies to preserve farmlands in Dane County.

View Workshop Agenda with links to presentations here.
View Link to Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative in Governor’s Budget.

Please fill out the Participant Worksheet form here that was available at the workshop if you would like to give additional input.

Topics Included
• The Regional Agriculture Economy
• Farmland Loss and Developed Land Gains
• Preservation and Mitigation Tools
• Funding Opportunities for Farmland Protection
• Intergovernmental Cooperation
• Land for Housing, Land for Farming: Conflicts, Challenges, & Opportunities

Stay tuned for information on future workshops.

Contact
Bridgit Van Belleghem
Senior Community Planner
Capital Area Regional Planning Commission
608-266-4637
bridgitvb@capitalarearpc.org

Thank you to the event sponsors:
• Capital Area Regional Planning Commission
• Dane County Department of Land and Water Resources Link
• Dane County Farm Bureau Link
• Dane County Farmers Union Link
• Dane County Towns Association Link
• Dane County Cities and Villages Association
• Natural Heritage Land Trust Link
• WI Department of Agricultural, Trade, and Consumer Protection Link
• WI Department of Natural Resources Link