Farmland Preservation Program

What is the Farmland Preservation Program?

The Farmland Preservation Program was designed to help farmers and local governments protect soil and water, and to preserve farmland. Through this voluntary program, if a participant achieves and maintains compliance with soil & water conservation standards, that participant is eligible to receive tax credits on eligible acres. 

Am I eligible for the Farmland Preservation tax credit?

Eligibility rules from DATCP:
  • You did not claim homestead credit or veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit for that year.
  • You must be the landowner. You do not need to be the farm operator and can rent out your land to a producer. 
  • You must be a Wisconsin resident.
  • Your land must have produced $6,000 in gross farm revenue in the past year, or $18,000 in the past 3 years. Rent is not included.
  • Your farm must meet state soil and water conservation standards and receive a certificate of compliance from the County. 

Possible income tax credits available to landowners :

  • $10.00/Acre for landowners with a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009 and located in an agricultural enterprise area, or for landowners who have modified an agreement initially signed before July 1, 2009.
  • $10.00/Acre for landowners in an area zoned for farmland preservation.
  • $12.50/Acre for landowners in an area zoned for farmland preservation and in an agricultural enterprise area with a farmland preservation agreement signed after July 1, 2009, or in an area zoned for farmland preservation and with a farmland preservation agreement modified after July 1, 2009.
Please contact the us for questions and information you may have about your eligibility and claiming your tax credits. We can be reached at 608-776-3836.

What about renewable energy production?

Energy production is not an agricultural use, regardless of whether it is commercial or accessory to a farm for the purposes of the farmland preservation law. For more information please read the renewable energy frequently asked questions document below.

 

 

For more information from DATCP, visit: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/FarmlandPreservation.aspx 

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