DATCP: Farmers and local governments can now submit Agricultural Enterprise Area petitions

Contact: Jane H. Larson (608) 224-5005

MADISON–Groups of farmers and local governments interested in preserving areas of farmland can now request an agricultural enterprise area or AEA designation from the state agriculture department.

An AEA identifies land that is locally targeted by farmers and by local government for agricultural preservation and agricultural development. Once designated, these areas enable eligible farmers to enter into a farmland preservation agreement with the state to claim a farmland preservation tax credit. Local governments can add to these incentives to further promote farmland preservation and agricultural economic development in their communities.

The state may designate a maximum of 15 AEAs or 200,000 acres by January 1, 2012, and one million acres statewide after January 1, 2012.

“Agricultural Enterprise Areas are part of the Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative that was included in Governor Doyle’s budget and are a unique way to identify areas important for agricultural preservation. They are also critical for encouraging future agricultural development in areas that have support from the local community,” said Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

To receive designation, a petition must be jointly filed by at least five eligible farmers in the proposed AEA, and by each county, town or municipality in which any part of the proposed AEA is located. If the petition is selected by the department through a competitive evaluation process, the area must be officially designated through Wisconsin’s rule process. After completing the expedited rule process, designation goes into effect January 1 of the following year.

Prior to submitting a petition, farmers or local governments are asked to contact Coreen Fallat at Coreen.Fallat@wisconsin.gov or (608) 224-4625 for additional guidance.

Interested parties must complete the petition form available on the department’s web site at http://workinglands.wi.gov. Basic criteria for the petition:

* The petition requires a minimum of five eligible farmers and all local government in which any part of the proposed AEA is located to provide information.

* The proposed area must be located in a farmland preservation area identified in a certified county farmland preservation plan.

* Parcels in the proposed area must be contiguous (although the land owned by the farmer petitioners need not be contiguous).

* The proposed area must be primarily in agricultural use.

There is no minimum acreage requirement for submitting a petition, although the state will give preference to areas that are at least 1,000 acres.

“Agriculture throughout Wisconsin varies in type and the size of the farm,” said Secretary Nilsestuen. “We look forward to reviewing a number of diverse petitions for designation of these agricultural enterprise areas across the state.”

Petitions must be submitted by February 26, 2010. The department will evaluate petitions and announce selected AEAs for designation by June 11, 2010.

Farmers and other interested parties can learn more about AEAs and Wisconsin’s Working Lands Initiative at upcoming workshops scheduled for late October and early November. More details will be available shortly from DATCP and the Wisconsin Towns Association.

For more information or to indicate your interest in submitting a petition, contact Coreen Fallat at Coreen.Fallat@wisconsin.gov or (608) 224-4625.