Wisconsin’s Farmland Preservation Program offers local farmers a straightforward tax credit of $10 per acre each year, provided they meet basic state eligibility and conservation standards. It’s become so popular, that administration fees are being asked by many counties statewide. Amy Piaget, County Conservationist for Dane County says it’s a good problem to have!
To qualify, participating farms must satisfy specific state agricultural performance standards. These include maintaining an active nutrient management plan, having proper manure storage facilities if necessary, and preventing agricultural runoff. Farmers must also be Wisconsin residents and meet established income criteria.
While the program is open to most operations, land eligibility typically relies on local zoning.
Zoning & Alternative Options
Farmland Preservation Zoning: Primary qualification comes from owning property within an officially designated farmland preservation zone.
Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEAs): For properties located outside zoned areas, landowners can qualify by forming or joining a state-designated Agricultural Enterprise Area to secure a tax certificate.
Understanding Program Administration and Compliance
Piaget says Dane County leads the state in participation, with roughly 1,000 farmers enrolled. Due to the high volume of participants and continuous administrative upkeep—such as updating certificates following property sales or entity name changes (like transfers to a family trust)—the county recently introduced a updated fee structure.
Rather than charging an annual fee like neighboring counties (which typically run $20 to $25 per year), Dane County links its fee directly to the state-mandated status reviews. Every four years, staff conduct required on-site compliance visits—amounting to roughly 250 to 300 site inspections annually. The review fee includes a base rate with a weighted addition of 50 cents per acre, reflecting the additional time required to evaluate larger operations.
How to Get Started
Tax preparers often alert farmers to the program during tax season. Because the state sets no enrollment caps or restrictions, any eligible farmer can join.
Landowners interested in enrolling or updating their certificate can contact their local County Land Conservation Office or reach out directly to the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department.
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