Contact: Rick Stadelman, Wisconsin Towns Association
715-526-3157
Registrations are being accepted for five December workshops focusing on the future of Wisconsin ’s working lands. The workshops are hosted by the Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) in cooperation with a broad range of other groups.
Each workshop session is 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with lunch included. The fee is $35 per person. The dates and locations are:
* Monday, Dec. 8 , Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, 1305 Kalahari Dr., Wisconsin Dells
* Tuesday, Dec. 9 , 29 Pines-Sleep Inn and Conference Center , 5872 33rd Ave. , Eau Claire
* Tuesday, Dec. 16 , Liberty Hall, 800 Eisenhower Dr. , Kimberly
* Wednesday, Dec. 17 , New Holiday Inn and Convention Center, 1001 Amber Ave. , Stevens Point
* Thursday, Dec. 18 , Jansen’s Banquet Hall, 1245 Whitewater Ave. , Fort Atkinson
Registration, directions and an agenda are available on the WTA website at http://www.wisctowns.com. Interested people can also contact the Towns Association at 715-526-3157 or send an email.
The workshops will present information on tools to balance protection of rural areas for use as farmland, open space and wooded acreage with the need for development for homes and businesses to accommodate local growth. The public is invited to participate.
There will be presentations from local voices on efforts to protect working lands, information on programs and tools for farmland protection, panel discussions and time for interaction. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, one of the workshop sponsors, will provide information on the components of its Working Lands Initiative. The initiative seeks updates in the state’s farmland preservation program, creation of a Purchase of Agricultural Easements program to support local protection efforts and establishment of voluntary agricultural enterprise zones. More information on the department’s proposal can be found at datcp.state.wi.us/workinglands/index.jsp.
Robert Wagner, senior director of Farmland Programs for American Farmland Trust (AFT), will provide information on farmland protection programs across the nation.
The list of workshop sponsors includes: WTA, DATCP, Gathering Waters Conservancy, AFT, Council of Rural Initiatives, Wisconsin Builders Association, Wisconsin Realtors Association, Wisconsin Counties Association, Wisconsin Farmers Union, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Rock River Coalition, Driftless Area Land Conservancy, Glacial Lakes Land Conservancy and West Wisconsin Land Trust.
