By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin has taken another big step toward protecting its farming heritage by adding over 30,000 acres to its Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEAs). These new designations, located in Sauk and Walworth counties, reflect the state's growing commitment to farmland preservation and environmental stewardship.
Agricultural Enterprise Areas are community-driven initiatives that protect farmland from being developed for non-agricultural use. They also help strengthen local economies by supporting farmers and encouraging long-term investments in agriculture. With these new additions, Wisconsin now has 51 AEAs spread across 140 towns and the Bad River Reservation, covering nearly 2 million acres in total.
"We get to see what landowners identify as areas that are important to their local agricultural communities -- both economically and historically -- and then, also seeing how that interacts overall with the statewide agricultural landscape," said Wednesday Coye, the Farmland Preservation Program manager at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture.
One notable new AEA is the Delavan Lake Watershed Agricultural Enterprise Area, which helps protect farmland near popular recreational sites like Lake Geneva. “There are a lot of interests there in developing the area, but then there's also a lot of interest from agricultural producers to protect the farmland that’s there,” said Coye.
These protected areas encourage sustainable farming methods and prevent urban development from encroaching on valuable agricultural lands. The move reflects a strong partnership between landowners, local communities, and state agencies to safeguard Wisconsin’s agricultural future.
By expanding AEAs, Wisconsin continues to set an example in balancing rural development with conservation goals, ensuring farming remains a strong part of the state's economy and identity.
Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey
Categories: Wisconsin, Business