FACTS ABOUT THE WISCONSIN FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM

PROGRAM HISTORY

The Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Program was enacted in 1977 and became available to Wood County landowners in 1984. The purpose of the program is to provide property tax relief to farmland owners while at the same time preserving Wisconsin farmland through local land use planning. This planning incorporates soil and water conservation practices that strive to keep soil erosion at tolerable levels and our area's groundwater clean. About half of Wisconsin's farmland is currently protected by the program.

CHANGES IN THE FARMLAND PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

Big changes have taken place in the way landowners can receive Farmland Preservation Tax Credits. The FPP (Farmland Preservation Tax Credit Program) is now under the Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative. Beginning in the 2010 tax year, $27 million will be available statewide to provide farmland preservation tax credit annually. Eligible landowners may collect one of the following per acre amounts.

• $5.00 for farmers with a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009 and located in an AEA (agricultural enterprise area). An AEA is an area in which five or more landowners have agreed to keep land in agriculture.
• $7.50 for farmers in an area zoned for farmland preservation.
• $10.00 for farmers in an area zoned for farmland preservation and also in an AEA, with a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Acres claimed must be located in a farmland preservation area identified in a certified county farmland preservation plan.
• Claimants must have $6,000 in gross farm revenue in the past year or $18,000 in the past three years. Income from rental or farm acreage does not count toward gross farm revenue.
• Property taxes on the land must be paid by the claimant.
• Farmers claiming farmland preservation tax credits must certify on their tax form that they comply with state soil and water conservation standards. New claimants must also submit a certification of compliance with soil and water conservation standards that has been issued by the county Conservation, Education, and Economic Development Committee.

HOW TO APPLY

If you have any questions or would like assistance with the application process, please contact the Wood County Land Conservation Department.