News Release

March 1 , 2007

The Washington County Farm Bureau board of directors voted Thursday to endorse a “yes” vote on the April 3 referendum on preservation of farmland and water resources.

A local chapter official said a majority of its members support the preservation program.

The vote comes one month before the balloting on Tuesday, April 3, when county voters will be asked to approve $800,000 a year for land or easement purchase.

“We are really at a critical stage here,” said Dan Stoffel, a farmer, county board vice-chairman and one of the leaders of the preservation movement. He told the bureau board that the referendum is as much about saving water resources as about saving prime farm soils.

Helmut Wagner, a bureau board member, said PDRs and agricultural zoning need to be combined to allow for viable blocks of farmlands.

Greg Goeller, farmer and bureau board member, said the agricultural; economy deserved the support of the bureau and the voters.

Bill Bruins, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, attended the Thursday meeting and said, “If it’s farmland preservation, it’s got to be spear-headed by farmers.” The state organization has supported agricultural zones.

Sue Millin, coordinator of Washington County Citizens for Land and Water Protection, addressed the county bureau directors and said, “It’s a moral issue, an ethical issue about what kind of a county we are going to leave for our children and grandchildren.”

Millin reported to the chapter board that 35 farmers in the county had expressed an interest in selling development rights if the preservation program goes through.

There are about 500 farms in Washington County.