Gov. Doyle: Announces 62,000 acres of farmland to be designated Agricultural Enterprise Area

Contact: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

ANTIGO – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that just over 62,000 acres of some of the state’s best farmland will be targeted for agricultural preservation and agricultural development in north central Wisconsin. Across the state, 200,000 acres of farmland will be designated as Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEAs) under the Working Lands Initiative. Governor Doyle made the announcement at Sunnydale Farm, a fifth-generation family farm in Bryant, as part of his eighth annual “Up North” Tour.

“Agriculture is the backbone of Wisconsin’s economy – contributing more than 10 percent of the jobs in Wisconsin and about $59 billion to our economy every year,” Governor Doyle said. “The Working Lands Initiative is a really great program that combines our strengths in stewardship and agriculture and makes a major investment in our state’s future economy. The Antigo Flats agreement we are celebrating today will help us preserve the state’s iconic soils and protect these great farmlands, while helping farmers stay competitive for years to come.”

Groups of farmers and local government worked together with the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to identify 12 unique areas around the state that are important for preserving farmland and growing agricultural businesses.

Once an area is officially designated as an AEA, eligible farmers owning land within the AEA may enter into a voluntary farmland preservation agreement with the state. This enables the landowners to receive tax credits in exchange for agreeing to keep their farm in agricultural use for at least 15 years. Local communities can also use AEAs to help promote the future viability of existing agricultural and agriculture-related land use.

Langlade County’s farmland is famous for its Antigo Silt Loam, the state soil of Wisconsin. The Antigo Flats AEA is known for producing high quality certified seed potatoes, and contains 8,000 acres of seed potatoes. Another 3,000 acres grows commercial potatoes. Snap beans, green peas and sweet corn are also grown in the Antigo Flats AEA, and there is a strong dairy component.

Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin has invested and promoted its diverse agricultural economy, which has now grown to approximately $59 billion annually and is responsible for more than 1 in 10 jobs in Wisconsin. Incentives to help modernize the dairy industry have helped increase milk production to record levels and have strengthened the state’s status as the number one producer of cheese in the country. In addition, Wisconsin is second in the nation in the number of organic farms.

At the same time, efforts to strengthen diversity in agriculture have made Wisconsin a leading producer of cranberries, specialty cheeses, organic vegetables and many other products. To enable successful farming for future generations, the state’s best farmland is protected under the Working Lands Initiative that Governor Doyle signed into law in 2009.

Earlier this year, Governor Doyle signed into law several bills to create jobs and support investment in the state’s agricultural industries. These bills created a food processing tax credit to create investment opportunities for Wisconsin food processing and distribution businesses; extended the dairy modernization tax credits through 2012 to help hard-pressed dairy farmers invest in their operations; and created a Farm to School program to help more Wisconsin schools have easier access to locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Official designation of the AEAs will take effect on January 1, 2011 after being ratified by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection this fall.