As the state Legislature moves through its 2025-2027 budget process, CARPC will be voicing our support for state funding programs that help Dane County communities implement the Regional Development Framework and the Dane County Water Quality Plan—our core guiding documents.
In particular, we’ll be advocating for continued investment in two critical programs: the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) Program.
The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program provides matching grants to local governments and nonprofits to preserve valuable natural spaces. From hiking trails and parks to forest and wetland conservation, this program has been instrumental in protecting some of Dane County’s most treasured landscapes.
The Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) Program enables farm owners and local communities to permanently protect farmland through voluntary conservation easements. This funding allows landowners to receive compensation in exchange for agreeing not to develop their land and supporting the long-term viability of farming in our region. Protecting farmland is not only vital for food security and local economies—it also helps manage stormwater and maintain Dane County’s rural landscapes.
CARPC also supports proposed funding for Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) efforts to promote soil conservation practices that protect our waterways:
- The Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program supports farmer-led groups conducting outreach, hosting on-farm demonstrations and research, and promoting voluntary conservation practices that reduce runoff and improve surface water quality.
- The Soil and Water Resource Management (SWRM) Program funds county conservation departments and landowner-led projects that protect soil and water resources.
- The Cover Crop Insurance Rebate Program encourages farmers to plant cover crops that enhance soil fertility and moisture retention while limiting nutrient runoff to waterways.
CARPC will be sending our letters of support to members of the Joint Finance Committee, the 18 state legislators representing Dane County, and the Governor.
WHAT’S IN THE BUDGET?
Governor Evers’s 2025-2027 Executive Budget included several key investments in conservation and water quality programs:
- Renewal of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program at $83 million bonding, $9 million SEG, and $8 million GPR in each year—totaling a $1 billion investment over the next decade.
- $15 million to relaunch the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) Program, which was created in 2009 but has not been funded since 2011.
- An additional $1 million in funding for the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program.
- $10 million for the Soil and Water Resource Management (SWRM) Program.
- $1.6 million to continue the Cover Crop Insurance Rebate Program signed into law by Gov. Evers in 2021.
However, on May 8, the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted to remove several hundred provisions from further budget consideration, including PACE program funding.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Although the official public comment period on Wisconsin’s biennial budget has ended, the Joint Committee on Finance will continue making funding decisions through the end of June. That means there’s still time to advocate for programs that further our regional preservation and water quality goals.
You can take action by contacting your state representatives along with members of the Joint Finance Committee.
- Connect with your representatives: https://maps.legis.wisconsin.gov/
- Connect with Joint Finance Committee members: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/committees/joint/2920
Learn more about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program at knowlesnelson.org. More information on the PACE Program and other ag-related legislative priorities is available through the American Farmland Trust website.
