Schmidt votes for farmland preservation bill

State Rep. Peter Schmidt, R-Bonduel, said in a press release that he was proud to support farmers by voting in favor of updates to the Farmland Preservation Program, which provides tax credits for good conservation practices.

“As a lifelong dairy farmer in Wisconsin, I strongly support the preservation of our precious farmland,” Schmidt said. “Preserving our farmland will ensure the security of our food supply while protecting Wisconsin’s farming industry.”

Wisconsin’s Farmland Preservation Program incentivizes the adoption of sound conservation practices by enabling farmers and eligible landowners to earn a per-acre tax credit, the size of which depends on the farmland preservation agreement and land zoning. Assembly Bill 133 decreases the length of the Farmland Preservation Program contract between the farmer or landowner and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from 15 years to 10 years.

The bill increases the rate of the per-acre tax credits:

• From $7.50 to $10 per acre for acres located in a farmland preservation zoning district but not subject to a farmland preservation agreement.

• From $5 to $10 per acre for acres that are subject to a farmland preservation agreement but not located in a farmland preservation zoning district.

• From $10 to $12 per acre for acres that are located in a farmland preservation zoning district and are subject to a farmland preservation agreement.

“This legislation will help our small family farms, and that’s a good thing for Wisconsin,” Schmidt said. “The Farmland Preservation Program gives farmers and landowners added incentives while keeping land available for future generations.”