Community, Natural Resource, and Economic Development

TOOLS OF DEVELOPMENT

Ultimate Land Use Study Tour III, October 15-20, 2008
Author: Mike Koles, Waupaca Co. UWEX CNRED

Due to overwhelming success and continued interest in the Ultimate Land Use Study Tour offered twice in 2006, UW-Extension is again coordinating the six-day tour through Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, October 15-20.

Participants will fly from Appleton, Madison, Milwaukee and Wausau to Baltimore, Maryland and embark on a three-state coach tour to see and hear first-hand how growth management and working lands protection programs are being implemented in these states and their local governments. The tour showcases some of the msot innovative land use programs in the country.

Alicia Acken-Cosgrove, UW - Extension land use specialist in RIver Falls explains "this rolling classroom provides an in-depth educational experience designed to empower local and state officials, as well as farmers, landowners, and developers to address land use issues and opportunities."

She added, "The goal of the tour is to increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of alternative land use implementation tools and expand leadership to consider pursuing some of these techniques here in Wisconsin."

The study tour is based on a highly successful program initiated in 1998 by the Michigan Rural Development Council and the American Farmland Trust Great Lakes regional office. The tour includes sessions with farmers on land preserved for future agriciulture production. It also includes visits to residential developments where building has been promoted. Developers will share experiences on how they have benefited from the same program that protects farmland.

"These communities have figured out how to develop win-win solutions that don't pit farmers and folks who want to preserve the land against developers," said Mike Koles, Waupaca County UW-Extension community resource development educator. "When both parties' interests can be met, everyone wins."

Past participants from Wisconsin have indicated this is a tremendous learning opportunity and they encourage others to participate. Richard Wagner, a dairy farmer and local town plan commission member who is on a statewide committee planning tour, said "the Ultimate Land Use Study Tour really shows how communities can protect farmland and their local agriculture infrastructure by using either purchase or transfer of development rights programs as tools to help implement their land use plans. It was interesting to see and hear how farms could sell their development rights through a voluntary program." Wagner added, "Many farms then use proceeds from the sale of their development rights to reinvest their tax liability as well. Farmers in those areas know they can plan for the future without fear of urban or suburban development popping up next door."

Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Rod Nilsestuen, participated in the first tour and concurs that this is a unique learning opportunity. "Communities in the East, where development pressures have been far greater than in Wisconsin, have had 30 years of experience in determining what works and what doesn't. The Ultimate Land Use Study Tour is the fastest and best way I know to see this up close and ask your own questions directly of farmers, local government leaders, and developers.

Charlie Handy, LaCrosse County Planning Director, believes "this study tour really shows the value and importance of thoughtful land use planning. These innovative tools wil not work without first having a quality comprehensive plan."

The next Ultimate Land Use Tour is scheduled for October 15-20, 2008. Cost is $950 per person, including airfare, meals, lodging, and materials. Registration will open on August 11 and run until Septemer 10 or when the tour is sold out (there are only 50 seats available). You can register and get more information at www.datcp.state.wi.us. For registration questions, please call Peggy Haker, 608-224-5401.

University of Wisconsin, US Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties cooperating. UW-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title IX and ADA.