Farmland Preservation Program Designates New Areas

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) designated more than 21,000 acres in Green Lake and Sauk counties as new agricultural enterprise areas (AEAs) effective January 1, 2024. DATCP also designated a modification to expand an existing AEA in Monroe County by more than 20,000 acres effective January 1, 2024. With these additions, there are now 49 AEAs statewide totaling 1,619,566 acres, covering portions of 30 counties, 135 towns, and the Bad River Reservation.

AEA designations are part of Wisconsin’s agricultural future and support local farmland protection goals, the agricultural economy, environmental efforts, and rural prosperity. Landowners within designated AEAs are eligible to enter into voluntary farmland preservation agreements, committing all or a portion of their farm to agricultural use and maintaining state soil and water conservation standards. In return, they may be eligible to claim the annual farmland preservation tax credit. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.