Third Times the Charm for Updated Farmland Preservation Tax Credit Program?

Friday, April 14th, 2023 -- 9:00 AM

(By Hope Kirwan, Wisconsin Public Radio) A bipartisan group of state lawmakers hope the third time's the charm for a bill that would update the state's farmland preservation tax credit program.

According to Hope Kirwan with Wisconsin Public Radio, Democrats and Republicans, conservationists and farm groups spoke in support of the legislation at a public hearing on Tuesday.

The Farmland Preservation Program was created in the 1970s as a way to ensure the availability of farmland for future generations, according to Tim Anderson, director of the Bureau of Land and Water Resources at the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Anderson said at the hearing that participating farmers are required to meet state conservation standards in order to claim an annual tax credit. The proposed amendments to the program would increase the amount of money per acre that farmers receive.

It would also index the dollar amounts for inflation, allowing DATCP to increase payments to keep pace with rising prices paid by farmers. The legislation also lowers the required length of time for a preservation agreement from 15 years to 10 years.

Rep. Loren Oldenburg, R-Viroqua, is one of the bill's main sponsors. He acknowledged during the hearing that it was the third time lawmakers have brought the bill forward, noting that it had passed previous ag committees but had not gotten to the Assembly's floor for a vote. Oldenburg said the bill's authors hope several changes will help get the bill over the finish line this year.

They include removing grant funding for counties and municipalities meant to help implement local farmland preservation plans, which Oldenburg said he hopes will be included in the next state budget or in separate legislation. He said lowering the minimum number of years is another important change based on feedback from farmers.

Democratic Rep. Katrina Shankland from Stevens Point, another sponsor of the bill, said the changes will hopefully attract more farmers to take part in the program and encourage landowners who already participate to enroll additional acreage.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.