APPROVING A COOPERATOR AGREEMENT WITH THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TRADE, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AND AUTHORIZING THE LAND RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT

Committee Status: 
Approved
Budget Status: 
External Source
Decision Impact: 
Major
FTE Impact: 
No
Funding Source: 
Grant

Purpose

Approve and execute agreement for the incentive program in Fairfield and Bear Creek AEA.

Background

Background: The Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department petitioned the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to establish the Fairfield Agricultural Enterprise Area in 2012 and the Bear Creek Agricultural Enterprise Area in 2020. The establishment of these Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEA) encourages communities to preserve agricultural land for the future while promoting the local agro-economy and investing in local land and water resources. An AEA enables landowners to sign farmland preservation agreements that keep land in agricultural use for 15 years and to meet state soil and water conservation standards. In return, the landowner may claim the farmland preservation tax credit annually. The department applied for and was awarded an AEA Cooperator Grant that will provide incentive payments to landowners who enter into Farmland Preservation Agreements in 2021. The Cooperative Agreement is attached and outlines the grant details.

Resolution Files: 
PDF icon AEA Appendix
PDF icon Resolution
Budget Status (Other/External Sources): 

The 2021 budget includes $33,000 in Agriculture Enterprise Area Grant funding.

Resolution Body

WHEREAS, the Cooperator Agreement must be approved and executed in order for the incentive program to be initiated in the Fairfield and Bear Creek Agricultural Enterprise Areas; and,

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Sauk County Board of Supervisors met in regular session, hereby approves the Cooperative Agreement (Exhibit A); and,

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors that the Land Resources and Environment Director is hereby authorized to sign the Cooperative Agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Department.

 

For consideration by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors on February 15, 2021.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Requested Board Review Date: 
Monday, February 15, 2021
Committee Review 1: 
Pending
Committee Review 1 Date: 
LAND RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
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