Programs and Services Available from the Dodge County Land Conservation Department

 

Farmland Preservation Program Changes are coming to the Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Program that will affect Dodge County landowners that participate and receive tax credits through the program.  Revisions were made to this 30-year old program and included in the 2009-2011 Wisconsin State Budget.  Beginning with the 2010 tax year, $27 million will be available statewide each year for farmland preservation tax credits.  Eligible landowners that participate in the revised program will be able to collect up to one of the following amounts: -         $5.00 per acre for landowners with a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009 and located in an approved Agricultural Enterprise Area (AEA).  An AEA is an area in which five or more contiguous landowners have agreed to keep land in agricultural use, and get local and state approval of their proposed AEA.  Currently, the Dodge County Towns of Fox Lake, Chester, Westford, Beaver Dam, Hubbard, Herman, Lowell, Clyman, Hustisford, Rubicon, Emmet, Lebanon and Ashippun have not adopted exclusive agricultural zoning, and landowners here could only participate in the revised Farmland Preservation Program under this option. -         $7.50 per acre for landowners in an area zoned for farmland preservation.  Currently, the Dodge County Towns of Lomira, Leroy, Trenton, Burnett, Williamstown, Theresa, Calamus, Oak Grove, Elba, Portland and Shields have adopted exclusive agricultural zoning, and landowners would likely participate in the revised Farmland Preservation Program under this option. -         $10.00 per acre for landowners in an area zoned for farmland preservation and also in an approved AEA, with a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009. Landowner eligibility requirements will also change.  As with the current program, participants in the revised program must still show a minimum of $6,000 in gross farm revenue for the past year, or $18,000 in the past three years.  There is no longer a minimum acreage ownership requirement.  Property taxes on the land must be paid by the participant.  Landowners must certify on their tax form that they comply with state soil and water conservation standards. The revised Farmland Preservation Program no longer requires landowners to comply with county adopted soil & water conservation standards.  Rather, all landowners claiming tax credits under the revised program must comply with statewide conservation standards.  The statewide conservation standards are specified in the Wisconsin Administrative Rules ATCP 50 and NR151, and are summarized below: All land where crops or feed are grown shall be cropped to achieve a soil erosion rate equal to, or less than, the “tolerable” (T) rate established for that soil, according to the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Version 2 – (RUSLE2) All crop producers and livestock producers that apply manure or other nutrients to agricultural fields shall have and follow an annual nutrient management plan that complies with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Technical Standard #590 Construction of a new manure storage facility or alterations to an old manure storage facility must be done so as to minimize the risk of structural failure or leakage. (Dodge County also has an ordinance regulating manure storage construction and closure) A manure storage facility shall be closed when the facility has ceased operation, or manure has not been added or removed for a period of 24 months; and closure shall be done in a manner that will prevent contamination of groundwater or surface water Failing and leaking manure storage facilities that pose an imminent threat to public health or wildlife, etc. shall be upgraded, replaced or abandoned Runoff shall be diverted away from contacting feedlots, manure storage or barnyard areas within water quality management areas (within 300 feet of a stream or ditch; or within 1,000 feet of a lake) There shall be no overflow of a manure storage facility There shall be no unconfined manure pile within water quality management areas There shall be no direct runoff from a feedlot or stored manure into waters of the state There shall be no unlimited access by livestock to waters of the state where high concentrations of animals prevent the maintenance of adequate sod or self-sustaining vegetative cover Current participants will need to meet these standards based on a 5-year schedule of compliance, and any new participants for tax year 2010 (tax credits paid in 2011) must demonstrate compliance with the conservation standards at the time when applying for the program.  Participants under long-term agreements must comply with the conservation standards that were in place when the long-term agreement application was submitted to the county.  Current and future program participants are encouraged to begin taking action now to become fully compliant with the statewide conservation standards.

Non-Point Source Pollution Control

Even though the state of Wisconsin no longer sponsors a watershed based non-point source pollution control program, the Dodge County Land Conservation Department performs a variety of non-point source pollution control work activities.  Current and on-going work activities in this area include the following:       Land & Water Resource Management Plan Implementation -  Planning, design, installation, and cost sharing of non-point source pollution control practices provided to landowners under the Wisconsin Land & Water Resource Management Program. Nutrient and Manure Management Planning - Technical, educational, and cost share assistance provided to landowners to assist in the preparation and implementation of cropland nutrient management plans.  Manure spreading restriction maps are prepared for land owners and land operators needing to know the location of environmentally sensitive sites where manure spreading is to be restricted. Wisconsin Non-Point Runoff Rule Implementation - Working cooperatively with Wisconsin DNR field staff, Dodge County Land Conservation Department staff assist with the planning, design, installation and cost sharing of non-point pollution control practices with landowners who have been determined to be violating one or more of Wisconsin's Non-Point Runoff Rules under Wisconsin Administrative Rule NR151. Horicon Marsh Watershed Landowner Contacts - Dodge County Land Conservation Department staff are currently contacting key landowners having cropland adjacent to and draining to the Horicon Marsh.  Such contacts are intended to educate and encourage landowners to install specific non-point pollution control practices such as grass filter strips, nutrient management, wetland restorations, critical area stabilization, grassed waterways, and barnyard runoff control.

Dodge County Manure Storage Ordinance

Dodge County's Manure Storage and Nutrient Utilization Ordinance was revised in June of 2007.  The ordinance continues to require anyone who is planning to build a new manure storage system, or anyone who is planning to substantially alter an existing manure storage system in Dodge County to obtain a permit from the Dodge County Land Conservation Department, and to do this construction work in compliance with construction standards.  The revised ordinance now provides for the following additional requirements: To properly close manure storage facilities that have not been used for two or more years. The issuance of a "Certificate of Use" prior to a landowner being allowed to use a new or substantially altered manure storage facility. The preparation of an emergency response plan to be implemented in the event of a  manure spill or discharge. To prepare and annually update and follow a nutrient management plan for as long as  a permitted manure storage facility continues to be used to store manure. Manure Storage Ordinance. PDF

Wildlife Crop Damage Program

Dodge County contracts with USDA-APHIS Animal Damage Control staff to carry out daily work on this program.  The program offers wildlife crop damage abatement services for damage done by deer, geese, and turkeys.  Crop damage claims payments can be made to eligible landowners who experience over $500 in damage to crops.

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

The Dodge County Land Conservation Department is administering the state's technical work responsibilities of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).  The CREP program allows landowners to enroll cropland or pastureland that is immediately adjacent to rivers, streams or farm drainage ditches into 15 year set-aside contracts or permanent easements.  Eligible landowners receive state and Federal incentive payments and cost share payments to install practices such as grass filter strips, wooden buffer strips, wetland restorations, or grass waterways.  More information may be obtained by contacting the Dodge County Land Conservation Department.

Land and Water Resources Management Program

Cost share dollars are available to Dodge County landowners for implementing soil and water conservation practices that reduce soil erosion/sediment delivery, and that reduce non-point source water pollution.  Applications will be taken throughout the year up to November 1st.  However, funds are limited, so applications for funding should be submitted as soon as possible.  Practices that will achieve the highest level of soil erosion and non-point source pollution control will be given a high priority ranking, but applications must be submitted by March 31st to be given this consideration.  Work performed under this program is guided by the Dodge County Land and Water Resource Management Plan as revised in 2007.  To view the revised plan, please click on the link below. 2007 Land & Water Plan (Adobe PDF Document, 64.5 MB)

Nutrient Management Program           NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT EXCEL SPREAD SHEET  (<<Click here to download)        NEED TO HAVE MS EXCEL AND AFTER YOU OPEN PLEASE SAVE TO YOUR HARD DRIVE

Nutrient Management Farmer Training Program                                                                           This is an educational program for the producer who wants to learn how to prepare a Nutrient Management Plan that meets the current standards.  Participants are required to attend 4 hours of classroom training.  As part of the training program participants will:      Receive farm maps - (aerial, soils, and manure spreading restrictions) Have their Manure Spreader Calibrated to determine application rate Develop a Nutrient Management Plan for their operation Receive a $3/acre stipend (pending grant approval) to help cover the costs of soil sampling For more information contact Robert Bird at 920-386-3660                       Dodge County Land Conservation/DATCP                                                                             Producers can receive a one time payment of $28/acre for completing a Nutrient Management Plan.  Farmers can get on a waiting list to be funded as monies become available.   For more info contact Marc Bethke or Robert Bird at (920) 386-3660. UW-Extension Nutrient Management Workshops Introductory Nutrient Management (The basics)                                                                              This program is designed for those that are curious about what a Nutrient Management Plan is.                   You will learn:                                                                                                                    the basic concepts of nutrient management what information is needed to prepare a Nutrient Management Plan who is required to submit a Nutrient Management Plan information on cost share programs available Learn the basics of nutrient management planning without obligation.  There is no fee for this program.     Call 386-3790 for more information.  Nutrient Management Farmer Training (Refresher)                                                                                    This is a refresher program for individuals who completed the Farmer Training Workshop previously.                                                                                                                                              You will be updated on the newest research and agronomy recommendations.                                        You will have a chance to work on your Nutrient Management Plan and pick up current fast facts and other information.                                                                                                                                          Upon completion of this workshop participants will be certified to write their own Nutrient Management Plan.                                                                                                                                              There is no fee for this program.                                                                                                          Pre-register by calling:  386-3790 USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)                                                                                                                        Livestock producers can receive payment for nutrient management thru EQIP.  A Comprehensive Nutrient Management plan (CNMP) is required to receive payment of $8/ac/yr for 3 years.  Farmers wishing to submit an application for manure storage cost-sharing through EQIP will need a CNMP to be eligible in the future. For more info contact NRCS at 920-386-9999 ext. 3.   Call (920) 386-3660 for the most up to date information on Nutrient Management programs.

Small Packet Tree Sales Program

Trees and Shrubs for Sale Now  The deadline for ordering small packets of trees from the Dodge County Land Conservation Department has been extended to March 18, 2010.  Most of the tree and shrub species being offered for sale are sold out.  Trees and shrubs that can still be purchased include Swamp White Oak, White Cedar, White Pine, and Colorado Blue Spruce.  Trees are being sold in bundles of 25, and are being sold for $23.00 per bundle, tax included.  In addition, tree protector tubes are also being offered for sale in packs of five.  For more information, or to obtain an order form, please contact the Dodge County Land Conservation Department weekdays at (920) 386-3660; or visit the Dodge County Land Conservation Department Web site at [www.co.dodge.wi.us] where you can print off an order form. 2010 Tree Order Form (Adobe PDF Document, 2.87 MB)

Miscellaneous Services

Provide free conservation planning and technical assistance to county landowners Prepare manure spreading restriction maps Provide two tree planters and one herbicide sprayer for rent to landowners planting large numbers of trees Provide "spud bars" for those planting smaller numbers of trees Sponsor a small packet tree sales program Serve as an outlet for the sale of tree protector tubes Provide assistance in calibrating manure spreaders for nutrient management planning Coordinate a farmer network for those interested in doing intensive rotational grazing Maintain a list of available rental equipment for doing conservation tillage & no till

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Last Update March 10, 2010