Events:

  What is the Farmland Preservation Program? 

Wisconsin's Farmland Preservation Program is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and helps farmers and local governments preserve farmland, protect soil and water, and minimize land use conflicts.

Through participation in the program:

• Counties develop farmland preservation plans.
• Local governments can develop farmland preservation zoning districts.
• Landowners and local governments together form Agriculture Enterprise Areas
• Landowners meet soil and water conservation standards to become eligible to claim an income tax credit. Eligibility requirements for claiming tax credits.

On December 6, 2023, Governor Evers signed Assembly Bill 133, now Wisconsin Act 42, which  makes changes  to farmland preservation agreements minimum term lengths and increasing farmland preservation tax credits for all current participants.

Farmland Preservation Program Brochure

What is a Farmland Preservation Plan?

A county's farmland preservation plan establishes the trends and resources related to agriculture, documents policies and goals related to farmland protection and identifies lands that will remain in agricultural use for the foreseeable future. Farmland preservation plans help guide conservation and preservation efforts in the county. 

Farmland Preservation Plans must be updated and recertified every 10 years for farmland preservation program participants to claim tax credits.

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Monroe County is updating the Farmland Preservation Plan in 2026!

Monroe County Farmland Preservation Plan Update ArcStory - see our ArcStory for more information about the plan update process, plan materials, public participation, and timeline. 

2014 Monroe County Farmland Preservation Plan - the draft of the updated plan will be posted when ready for public view.

Public Participation Plan for Monroe County Farmland Preservation Plan Update - adopted March 25, 2026 

Public Survey Results - 103 responses were received from late January through late April, 2026.