Rock County Wisconsin - County Programs

Farmland Preservation

Farmland Preservation Wisconsin income tax credit program (FPP)

The Farmland Preservation state income tax credit is for landowners whose entire farm is meeting the conservation standards set by the State of Wisconsin. Many farms already meet most of the requirements. Call us to determine what you need to do (608-754-6617 ext. 4758).

Claimants must meet the requirements for Wisconsin residency, gross farm revenue, Wisconsin conservation standards and the land must be in a Farmland Preservation district or agreement below.

Enrollment starts by applying to the Rock County Land Conservation Department. Upon successful enrollment, fees to Rock County Land Conservation are $15 + $0.50/acre per farm per year.

Claimants for land in Rock County must file Schedule FC-A with their Wisconsin income tax and have a valid Certificate of Compliance issued by Rock County Land Conservation Department. Tax credits are applied against tax liability. There is no cap on credits. The gross farm revenue requirement (excluding rent) is at least $6,000 in the past year or $18,000 over the past three years.

$7.50/acre for land zoned for farmland preservation. (In these areas, the certified zoning allows landowners to participate and not have to sign a separate agreement).
$10.00/acre for land zoned for farmland preservation AND in an Agricultural Enterprise Area AND the landowner has a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009.
$5.00/acre for agreement only signed after July 1, 2009 and located in an Agricultural Enterprise Area with no FP zoning. (Note: there are no pre-2009 agreements in Rock County.)
Farmland Preservation state income tax credit requirements
Can I claim? (quick check list)

Wisconsin conservation standards [pdf]. The goals of the standards are to keep soil and nutrients where they can be used by crops and out of streams, lakes, and groundwater. Call us to find to what applies to your farm operation. Briefly, the standards cover:

Soil erosion - keep soil on your slopes and avoid gullies, sheet/rill erosion.
Nutrient management plan for manure and fertilizers. Basics (2-pg brochure) and more information (DATCP website) .
Manure storage - new, altered, or abandoned facilities and stacking areas.
Manure management

Nutrient Management

Nutrient management farmer training sessions for 2020

All sessions are open lab 9:00 am - 3:00 pm with flexible scheduling to arrive and leave when you need to. Space is limited, advance sign-up required. Call 608-754-6617 ext. 4761 (Duane Collins) or ext. 3.

Sessions are usually in January and February. Leave us a message any time.

What: Producers write nutrient management plans on farmland that they operate. Training is hands-on using a laptop computer (provided). (If you want to bring your own laptop, see system requirements.) Agronomists will be at each session to answer questions and assist you. Those who complete the class will leave with paper and electronic copies of their nutrient management plan. This class is not certification to write plans for hire.

Who: Open to any producer. You should be comfortable using computers or bring a partner who is.

Cost: Free. Thumb drives available for purchase if you need one.

You will need:

Soil test results less than four years old and on every five acres of crop land.
- Electronic files (.txt or Excel) are faster if you have a copy from the soil lab. Paper works, but will take time to enter by hand.
Thumb drive
Herd and manure information, spreading logs, manure analysis if you have them.

Animal Waste Management

Animal Waste Management Program

This ordinance regulates the location, design, construction, installation and alteration of animal waste storage facilities and use of animal waste from these facilities in order to prevent water pollution and thereby protect the health of Rock County residents and transients; prevent the spread of disease; and to promote the prosperity and general welfare of the citizens of Rock County. It is also intended to provide for the administration and enforcement of the Ordinance and to provide penalties for its violation.

The ordinance requires a permit be obtained prior to the installation or alteration of an animal waste storage facility. Any person considering installing, enlarging, altering or abandoning an animal waste storage facility shall contact the Land Conservation Department to obtain a Permit Application. In order to receive the permit, the permittee must develop a Storage Facility Plan and a Nutrient Management Plan that meets current NRCS technical standards. You can obtain an Animal Waste Storage Fact Sheet from our department that briefly discusses plan requirements. Staff from the Land Conservation Department (LCD) can assist you with the plan or a private consultant can be employed. Since the technical standards may dictate certain aspects of your facility design, it is important to contact the LCD early in the planning process. Also, it is important that the facility is constructed according to permit requirements. A fee schedule has been developed and is updated annually during the budget development process. For further information in regards to this program, please contact Norm Tadt or the county conservationist.

Well Abandonment

Well Abandonment

Pollution of our groundwater is a concern for all of us. That's because everyone in Rock County gets their drinking water from groundwater, whether you live in one of the municipalities or have a private well. Groundwater can become contaminated through many activities.

One source of groundwater contamination that most of us overlook is unused or improperly abandoned wells. Estimates are that there are over 500 improperly sealed wells in Rock County. These wells are a direct connection to groundwater. Anything that gets into the old wells flows directly into your drinking water. That can range from small animals to chemicals flowing in runoff water.

Rock County has a well abandonment program that provides cost share funds to help defray the costs associated with closing. When a Cost Share agreement is approved, you must hire a well driller or a certified pump installer to abandon your well. Costs for proper sealing are often less than $500 before cost sharing. This is a small price to pay when compared with the cost of trying to purify contaminated water or drilling a new well. Remember, if there is an abandoned well on your property that becomes contaminated, your drinking water will probably be the first thing affected. Take care of the health of your family. For further information, please contact Andrew Baker or Duane Collins.

Wildlife Damage

Wildlife Damage Claim Program

Rock County annually participates in the Wisconsin Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claim Program. This program is funded through hunting license fees, and is designed to help prevent crop damage due to deer, geese, bear, and turkeys. The program will provide abatement assistance, including shooting permits, to reduce damage and will also pay some compensation for damage to crops.

The program tries to deter as much damage as possible and the key to doing this is to act early. Deer can be damaging alfalfa crops as soon as the crown appears from under the snow. This damage to the crown can result in long-term yield reductions. Damage to corn can occur when deer pull out seedlings or bite off tender silks. Goose damage usually occurs during molting when adult geese are unable to fly. Small grain and corn are their favorite foods during this time. Geese pull young plants out of the ground to eat. Most of the reported damage occurring in Rock County is due to geese. The program can help if you are having damage or even anticipate damage based on prior years. Again, the key is to act early. Program administration is contracted to the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, known as APHIS. They can be contacted at 1-800-433-0663.

DNR Website: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/damage.html