Farmland Preservation Plan 2020 2030 Summary Report to

Farmland Preservation Plan 2020 -2030 Summary Report to County Board September 17, 2019 Dena Mooney – County Planner Matt Payette – Director, Planning, Zoning and Land Information Dept.

Background Benefits ◦ Eligible for tax credit programs Tax credits $5/acre in Agricultural Enterprise Area (AEA) $7. 50/acre zoned Exclusive Agriculture $10/acre if both exist Requirements to receive tax credits Soil and water conservation standards must be met

Background Calumet County FPP History ◦ 1980, 1988 and 2010 ◦ 2010 -2020 Plan (still in effect) 2020 -2030 FPP is conditionally approved by DATCP pending County Board approval.

FPP Grant 2010 -2020 FPP was created with no grant funding Calumet County was eligible to receive funds from DATCP for its next plan Awarded up to $22, 284 (reimbursed for 50% of total eligible costs) ◦ Plan deadline is Dec. 31, 2019

FPP Study Hired the Survey Research Center (SRC) at UW -River Falls Survey conducted in January 2018 446 surveys were mailed 271 returned; response rate of 61%

FPP Study Support for farmland preservation and farmland preservation zoning. Three themes identified: ◦ 1. Low price for ag commodities and high cost of land making producers pessimistic about long-term sustainability of ag in the County. ◦ 2. Mixed feelings about government intervention. ◦ 3. Concern about on-going consolidation of farms and its impact on smaller farms and the environment.

Public Participation FPP Study ◦ January 2018 Public Informational Meetings ◦ Wednesday, May 22, 2019 (evening) ◦ Thursday, May 30, 2019 (day) Mailed postcards to property owners similar to FPP Study. Public Hearing ◦ Tuesday, July 2, 2019

2020 -2030 FPP Goal and Objectives Goal: Maintain the operational efficiency and productivity of the County’s agricultural areas for current and future generations. ◦ Same goal as 2010 FPP and 2025 Comprehensive Plan. Objectives ◦ Strive to reduce the rate of prime farmland being converted to non-agricultural development. ◦ Allow for the opportunity to accommodate creative and unique forms of agriculture. ◦ Focus new areas of growth within or near existing areas of development where adequate public facilities and services exist or are planned for expansion. ◦ See plan for ALL objectives

FPP Findings Population, Municipal Expansion and Housing From 2016 -2018, 2 nd fastest growing county. ◦ 3 rd fastest in 2015 Town of Harrison Village of Harrison ◦ Not identified for farmland preservation. Population projected to grow by 31% between 2010 and 2040 ◦ Brothertown, Charlestown, Rantoul and Woodville expected to lose population between 2010 and 2040. All towns expected to see an increase in households between 2010 and 2040. Calumet County - 44. 5% increase in households Wisconsin – 22. 4% increase in households

FPP Findings Economic Growth and Business Development According to the 2014 UW Extension Value and Economic Impact of Agriculture Report, agriculture has the following impact on the County economy: ◦ $1. 5 billion in economic activity 37% of the County’s total economy ◦ Over 4, 000 jobs 18% of County’s workforce ◦ $318 million to the County’s total income 23% of the County’s total income ◦ $19. 1 million in taxes ◦ Ag processing is the major ag industry in the County. $14 million increase in tourism (2012 -2018) ◦ Ag-tourism businesses

FPP Findings Environmental Preservation Nutrient Management Plans ◦ 2010 - 40, 563 acres ◦ 2018 - 88, 128 acres

Nutrient Management 2010 2018

FPP Findings Agricultural Overview Land Use Comparisons (2004 and 2015) ◦ Decrease of 1. 8% in agricultural lands 64. 1% in 2004 compared to 62. 3% in 2015 ◦ Airphoto interpretation

FPP Findings Agricultural Overview Trends from Census of Agriculture ◦ Fewer farms ◦ Increased farm size ◦ Increased acres in farms Highly unlikely

FPP Findings Agricultural Overview Ag Land Without Buildings Ag Land With Buildings

FPP Findings Agricultural Overview Livestock ◦ Number of farms with livestock decreasing except beef cows. ◦ Beef and milk cow numbers increasing.

FPP Findings Agricultural Overview Changes in Agriculture ◦ Loss of small scale farms due to high land values and increased competition ◦ Innovation and cooperation between government and farms to prevent environmental degradation as more is being asked of the land ◦ Increase in niche ag on less desirable land ◦ New County zoning ordinance ◦ Increased tech in agriculture

FPP Action Plan Actions to Preserve Farmland ◦ Comprehensive Planning Development vision ◦ Farmland Preservation Zoning Tax credit ◦ Agriculture Enterprise Areas (AEAs) Tax credit ◦ Land Division Density Number of homes allowed Limits number of lots created ◦ Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) No funding

Tax Credits FPP Action Plan Results ◦ $1, 948, 351 million in tax credits issued Tax years 2011 -2017 Town of Brillion highest ◦ Tax credits Acreage claimed Number of claims Tax credit amount has remained unchanged since 2009 Farmland Preservation Plan Study 54% tax credit reasonable 21% unreasonable Increase in AEA tax credit with 15 -year contract 15 property owners – 3, 546 acres out of 28, 217 acres in AEA

Farmland Preservation Areas ◦ Zoned for agriculture Exclusive Ag, Farmland Preservation, General Ag, Heartland, Small Estate Residential ◦ Town of Stockbridge – Rural Character areas identified on Preferred Land Use Map in Comprehensive Plan Consistent with 2010 FPP Maps ◦ Currently claiming tax credit Excluded ◦ Incorporated areas ◦ Transition areas Identified on Preferred Land Use Maps in Comprehensive Plan ◦ Public lands ◦ Rural subdivisions ◦ Non-ag zoning districts

Questions?