W i s co n s i n R e p o rt 

2012
Pat Leavenworth

Wisconsin State Conservationist 1994-2012

We wish Pat the best of luck in her 

retirement and extend our thanks to her for 

18 years of service to Wisconsin.
Greetings Wisconsin Conservationists!!

Fiscal Year 2012 has been another challenging year for delivering conservation to 

landowners in the State of Wisconsin. In addition to the very late arrival of program 

allowances, we faced challenging weather throughout the state. Drought and excessive 

heat plagued the southern third of the state during the critical growing period; severe storms 

battered parts of the north and northwest. To meet these challenges, NRCS employees, 

landowners and partners rose in a united front to once again achieve a record year for 

private lands conservation in Wisconsin. Federal, state and county governments devised a 

suite of program alternatives for drought relief, especially emergency feed and forage, to 

sustain our dairy and livestock operations during this difficult time.

Another historic action unfolded this year with our county Land Conservation Committees 

and Land Conservation Departments. By agreeing to combine their statewide organizations 

into a reinvigorated new Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, they have 

meshed local conservation policy with conservation action. This will be a force for the 

future in our continued partnership with WLWCA to assure the sustainability of agriculture 

in Wisconsin - which has always been a national leader in conservation. 

On another front, we can be very proud of the conservation accomplishments of our 11 

federally-recognized American Indian Tribes. In 2001 they formed the Wisconsin Tribal 

Conservation Advisory Council (WTCAC) as a venue for Tribes to advise NRCS on 

conservation programs for more tribal participation. WTCAC has grown to be the forum 

for Tribal conservation issues with NRCS as well as many other federal and state agencies 

and private conservation organizations. We are also seeing greater access to Farm Bill 

conservation programs by small and beginning farmers, other historically underserved 

producers, and organic, grazing and specialty crop farmers who serve to supplement and 

enhance the diversity, health and consequent resiliency of the agricultural industry in 

Wisconsin. 

As I look to future, I see NRCS in the good hands of a new generation of employees who 

have the professional, technical, and social skills to build upon the foundation which our 

Soil Conservation Service/Natural Resources Conservation Service elders established. I 

thank our folks who support our field staff on a daily basis - our Administrative, Public 

Affairs, Resources, Soils and Engineering specialists. I will also be forever grateful to have 

been a part of this private land conservation movement, started by our first Chief, Hugh 

Hammond Bennett, the soil evangelist who rose up to open our eyes to the “Menace of Soil 

Erosion” in the Dust Bowl days and help us learn to heal the land, our continuing challenge.

 Yours in Conservation,

 

 Pat Leavenworth
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Conservation Technical Assistance

Putting Conservation on the Ground

Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) provides landowners with proven 

conservation choices and technology needed for a healthy and productive 

landscape.

The primary purposes of the CTA Program:

•	 Reduce soil loss from erosion 

•	 Solve soil, water quality, water conservation, air quality, and agricultural waste 

management problems 

•	 Reduce potential damage caused by excess water and sedimentation or drought 

•	 Enhance the quality of fish and wildlife habitat

•	 Improve the long term sustainability of all lands, including cropland, forestland 

and grazing lands

•	 Assist others in facilitating changes in land use as needed for natural resource 

protection and sustainability 

Technical assistance is the help 

provided by NRCS to address 

opportunities, concerns, and 

problems related to the use of 

natural resources. 
Highlights for 2012

•	 1,507 conservation system plans applied to lands covering 444,921 acres 

•	 Cropland with conservation applied to improve soil quality = 362,810 acres

•	 Land with conservation applied to improve water quality = 400,828 acres

•	 Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans written = 88 applied = 24

•	 Grazing land with conservation applied to improve the resource base = 20,625 acres

•	 Wetlands created, restored or enhanced = 3,492 acres

•	 Forest land with conservation applied to protect and improve vegetative condition = 21,705 acres

•	 Watershed or area-wide conservation plans developed = 10

•	 Non-federal land with conservation applied to improve fish and wildlife habitat quality = 43,018 acres

NRCS Mission: 

Helping People Help the Land

The Natural Resources Conservation 

Service has assisted Wisconsin landowners 

in conserving natural resources on 

private lands for over 75 years. Resource 

stewardship is a vital part of conservation 

and is the primary mission of NRCS.
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

environmental quality

incentives program

The long, hot summer took its toll on farms in southern 

Wisconsin. NRCS was able to assist farmers with funding 

and technical assistance in drought-afflicted counties.

Through EQIP, NRCS provided financial assistance to

establish cover crops. Cover crops reduce soil erosion on 

highly erodible lands, reduce weeds and pathogens and 

help improve soil quality and health.

The focus area was in the 32 severely affected drought 

counties in southern Wisconsin. Over $380,000 was 

available to assist farmers with rye, oats, millet, or other 

NRCS-approved cover crops. Over 20,000 acres were 

established this fall as a result of this special sign-up.

The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Drought Assistance

is a voluntary program that promotes agricultural 

production, forest management and environmental 

quality. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist

landowners install or implement conservation practices 

on their land that protect soil and water quality.

Farmers develop a conservation plan, if they don’t 

already have one, for the acreage affected by the EQIP 

practices. Conservation practices must meet NRCS 

technical standards. NRCS evaluates and ranks each 

application, with higher priorities given to the practices 

that address local resource concerns, and provide the 

most environmental benefit.

In 2012, nearly $26 million was provided to Wisconsin 

farmers for conservation practices. Contracts 

numbered 1,523 that put 154,502 acres into voluntary 

conservation practices.

Price

Clark

Dane

Polk

Vilas

Grant

Iron

Bayfield

Rusk

Sawyer

Oneida

Marathon

Sauk

Forest

Taylor

Douglas

Iowa

Dunn

Marinette

Rock

Oconto

Wood

Dodge

Barron

Lincoln

Burnett

Jackson

Ashland

Monroe

Vernon

Juneau

Portage

Chippewa

Buffalo

Adams

Shawano

Langlade

Door

Green

Pierce

Washburn

Brown

Columbia

Waupaca

Lafayette

Richland

Saint Croix

Crawford

Jefferson

Waushara

Walworth

Eau Claire

Fond du Lac

Outagamie

Florence

Manitowoc

Waukesha

Winnebago

Racine

Calumet

La Crosse Marquette

Pepin

Kenosha

Menominee

Trempealeau

Sheboygan

Washington

Kewaunee

Green Lake

Ozaukee

Milwaukee

32 drought affected counties in 

southern Wisconsin

This cover crop reduces erosion, protecting 

vulnerable soil resources.
S u m m a ry o f p r ac t i c e s a p p l i e d i n 2 0 1 2

Access Control 926 ac..

Access Road 51,427 ft.

Ag Energy Mgmt Plan Written 7

Animal Trails and Walkways 41,129 ft.

Brush Management 1,668 ac.

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans 17

Conservation Cover 19,368 ac.

Conservation Crop Rotation 207,182 ac.

Conservation Plan - Organic Transition Plans 

Written 2

Contour Buffer Strips 2,112 ac.

Contour Farming 15,985 ac.

Cover Crop 12,570 ac.

Critical Area Planting 88 ac.

Diversion 16,356 ft.

Feed Management 718 Animal Units

Fence 703,229 ft.

Field Border 6,301 ac.

Filter Strip 578 ac.

Firebreak 95,548 ft.

Forage and Biomass Planting 3,540 ac.

Forage Harvest Management Plan 2,269 ac.

Forest Management Plan Written 52

Forest Stand Improvement 3,058 ac.

Forest Trails and Landings 66,753 ft.

Grade Stabilization Structures 140

Grassed Waterway 4,738 ac.

Heavy Use Protection 1,690 ac

Integrated Pest Management. 11,672 ac.

Irrigation System, Sprinkler 46 ac.

Irrigation Water Management 1,388 ac.

Lined Waterway 1,330 ft.

Livestock Pipeline 169,459 ft.

Mulching 65 ac

Nutrient Management 121,327 ac.

Obstruction Removal 212 ac.

Prescribed Burning 1,054 ac.

Prescribed Grazing 12,001 ac.

Residue and Tillage Management/Mulch-Till 60,450 ac. 

Residue and Tillage Management/No-Till 44,750 ac.

Residue Management/Mulch Till 824 ac.

Residue Management No-Till/Strip Till 7,305 ac.

Residue Management, Seasonal 2,092 ac.

Restoration and Management of Rare and 

Declining Habitats 930 ac.

Riparian Forest Buffer 64 ac.

Roof Runoff Structure 970

Seasonal High Tunnel 151,787 sq.ft.

Sediment Basin 20

Shallow Water Development and Mgmt 188 ac.

Solid/Liquid Separation Facility 5

Spring Development 10

Stream Crossing 1,676 ft. 

Stream Habitat Improvement and Mgmt 524 ac.

Streambank/Shoreline Protection 49,427 ft.

Stripcropping 2,436 ac.

Subsurface Drain 101,984 ft.

Terrace 2,860 ft.

Tree/Shrub Establishment 3,453 ac.

Tree/Shrub Pruning 19 ac.

Tree/Shrub Site Preparation 19 ac.

Underground Outlet 35,542 ft.

Upland Wildlife Habitat Mgmt 16,778 ac.

Vegetated Treatment Area 12,536 ac

Waste Facility Closure 27

Waste Storage Facility 60

Waste Transfer 805

Water and Sediment Control Basin 16

Water Well 39

Watering Facility 177

Water Well Decommissioning 39

Wetland Creation 13

Wetland Restoration 3,479 ac.

Wetland Wildlife Habitat Mgmt 1,893 ac.

Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment 74,301 ft

Woody Residue Treatment 55 ac.

Practices Applied Practices Applied

Source: USDA-NRCS Integrated Data for Enterprise Analysis - Performance Results System 11/19/2012 
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

~ special initiatives ~

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The Sixmile Creek Watershed joined two adjacent watersheds, the Pheasant Branch 

and the Waunakee Marsh, as the focus of intense conservation efforts in Dane 

County through the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI). 

These three highly agricultural watersheds are located northwest of Lake Mendota. 

Through a cooperative agreement between NRCS and Dane County, financial and

technical assistance was available to farmers to install conservation practices that 

result in the reduction of nutrients and sediment flowing into Lake Mendota.

This Healthy Watershed Initiative helps farmers voluntarily implement conservation 

and management practices that avoid, control, and trap nutrient runoff from farm 

land. Reducing nutrients and sediment is the key to improving water quality in Lake 

Mendota, and ultimately the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

Up to $1.86 million available to continue adding conservation practices in the 

Sixmile Creek watershed over the next three years.

Conservation Beyond Boundaries 

Clean water, abundant wildlife, and productive agriculture are all interconnected. 

Conservation doesn’t have man-made boundaries. That’s why NRCS is addressing 

natural resource priorities on a landscape scale. Our conservation solutions are 

to benefit both landowners and the environment, provide wildlife habitat and

improve agricultural production. These special initiatives are funded through the 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds 

Initiative

Highlights for 2012

Pheasant Branch and Waunakee Marsh - Dane County

Financial Assistance = $315,779 in 17 contracts covering 3,636 acres

Sixmile Creek - Dane County

Financial Assistance = $103,416 in 9 contracts covering 2,759 acres

Kettle Moraine Land Trust 

Financial Assistance = $39,038 in 3 contracts covering 141 acres
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)

In 2012, Wisconsin NRCS concentrated its effort in the 

Lower Fox River watershed. Two watersheds lie within 

this basin that were given additional funding. They are 

the Upper Duck Creek in Outagamie County and the 

Upper East River in Brown, Manitowoc and Calumet 

Counties. This focus resulted from a combination of 

resource concerns, potential for improvement and 

landowner participation. Working with our local and 

other federal partners, the overall strategy of GLRI is to 

achieve maximum conservation practices in the focus 

area, so that water quality improves downstream.

The GLRI plan calls for aggressive efforts to address five

urgent priorities:

1. Clean up the most polluted areas in the lakes

2. Combat invasive species

3. Protect watersheds and shoreline from runoff

4. Restore wetlands and other habitats

5. Work with strategic partners on education, 

evaluation and outreach

Before

After

A waste storage facility allows the farmer to spread manure safely 

during optimum weather, thereby reducing risk of runoff, and at 

the best time and place for the crop to utilize the nutrients in the 

manure.

Bare ground near barnyard allows runoff. Lack of manure storage 

limits farmer’s options, requiring daily spreading on snow, frozen 

ground, or when severe weather poses high risk for runoff.

NRCS in Wisconsin is working to reduce nutrient runoff entering Lake Michigan. In October 2011, a manure transfer 

system was completed for a dairy operation near the city of West Bend, as a final component in a manure management plan 

done in partnership with Washington County Land and Water Conservation Division. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 

funded $15,500 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for the project which also included cover crops and 

buffer strips. The now completed project will greatly improve manure management on the 250 acre family farm, improving 

water quality. 

Highlights for 2012 

Milwaukee River -Special sign-up Summer of 2012

Financial Assistance = $390,402 in 21 contracts 

covering 3,346 acres

General signup in the Lower Fox, Manitowoc/

Sheboygan and Milwaukee River Watersheds

Financial Assistance = $1,097,295 in 14 contracts 

covering 3,009 acres

Special Phosphorus Reduction Project conducted 

in five sub-watersheds in the Lower Fox River 

Watershed

Financial Assistance = $3,120,674 in 48 contracts 

covering 19,959 acres

 ~ Success Story ~

Improving Water Quality along the Lake Michigan Shore

GLRI numbers for this report provided by Wisconsin NRCS.
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary program that offers 

payments to producers who exercise good land stewardship and agree to further 

improve their conservation performance. CSP is available to all producers 

regardless of operation type, crops produced, or geographic location.

Nearly 500 Wisconsin farmers and forest landowners enrolled in the Conservation 

Stewardship Program in 2012. This is the third year that this program has been 

open throughout Wisconsin.

In 2012, 476 farmers and forestland owners enrolled in CSP, with an average 

payment of $6,416 per contract. Over $3 million in payments made to those farm 

families this year, and over $15 million over the course of the five-year contracts.

For many farmers , CSP offers reward and recognition for the conservation they are 

already doing, plus a little extra incentive to try a few more or new practices.

Total crop and pasture land acres enrolled in Wisconsin to date is 668,683, plus 

94,383 acres of woodland (non-industrial private forestland) in 1,978 contracts.

For this signup, average payments in Wisconsin were $20 per acre for cropland, 

$14 per acre for pasture, and $3.70 per acre for woodland. Payments are made 

annually for each of the five years of the contract. CSP is open to small and large

operations, with farms already enrolled ranging from just a couple of acres to over 

3,000 acres of cropland.

Conservation Stewardship Program
Jane Reigel, NRCS District 

Conservationist works with Roger 

Erickson planning the CSP 

enhancements for his Dairy located 

in Clark County, WI.

Throughout the years, Four Star Dairy in Clark County 

has implemented a long list of conservation and water 

quality practices. Starting in 2003, Roger Erickson 

adopted Nutrient and Feed Management along with a 

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan.

“NRCS gives us quite a few ideas and guidance, helping 

us make good decisions on the use of our land,” says 

Roger. “We have constructed and maintained many 

acres of grassed waterways on our 3000 plus acres. 

We constructed lot runoff and filter strips along with 

abandoning several wells and an old manure storage 

structure.”

Clean water is one of the biggest concerns for Four 

Star Dairy. Roger wants to protect the water quality 

and is active in making sure that the water supply is not 

impaired for the surrounding farms and the wells they 

depend on every day to sustain their operation. Jane 

Reigel, NRCS District Conservationist in Clark County 

tells us, “Roger is a very proud, forward thinking, 

dedicated farmer. He is always planning ahead looking to 

make the right improvements on his farm.”

Their choices in CSP show their willingness to adopt new 

things. They chose five enhancements, which is fairly 

rare, according to Reigel. Their priorities shone through, 

as the enhancements target air, water and animals. To 

address air concerns, they will be updating and enhancing 

their spraying system and using a nitrification inhibitor 

on some of their land. To address animals they will be 

haying in a wildlife friendly manner along with extending 

some grass filters which provide nesting cover and further 

protect water quality.

One of the most impressive enhancements they are 

implementing is reducing the concentration of nutrients 

imported on the farm. This enhancement requires that 

manure must provide at least 50 percent of the N, and 

90 percent of the P and K and that at least 75 percent of 

the feed for livestock must be grown on the farm. The 

is enhancement is key, according to Reigel, because the 

balance of livestock and land is critical for a sustainable 

operation.

Talking about the program Roger says, “CSP has allowed 

me to tailor conservation improvements to my farm that 

meet my resource needs.”

 ~ Success Story ~

Good Stewardship Takes Good Planning
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Unlock the Secrets in the Soil

NRCS knows that soil is the foundation of sustainable agriculture. A new educational 

initiative called “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil” is underway. This is a renewed 

emphasis on enhancing this important soil resource. Healthy soils are important for 

several reasons. These soils are more productive and farmers optimize production, 

improving their bottom line. Environmentally, keeping the soil healthy keeps nutrients 

on the farm - not in the local waterways. It also holds water for living plants and 

reduces the chance of flooding by allowing the water to infiltrate into the soil.

The four key messages for healthy soil are:

•	 Disturb the soil as little as possible

•	 Grow as many different species of plants as practical

•	 Keep living plants in the soil as often as possible

•	 Keep cover crops on the soil at all times

Soils

NRCS understands the importance of healthy soils.

The Wisconsin Soils Team consists of 12 field Soil Scientists in three Major Land

Resource Area (MLRA) Soil Survey Offices. The Team collects data and conducts

studies on various Soil Survey Projects in the State. Technical data and Geographic 

Information System (GIS) Support is provided by the soils data and technology team. 

Four Area Resource Soil Scientists assist NRCS conservationists and many non-NRCS 

soil data users to understand and use soils data to make informed land use decisions.

NRCS is the premier soil 

conservation agency in the 

world - founded on soil science. 

No organization or agency can 

match NRCS when it somes 

to soil expertise and technical 

science delivery.
Major Land Resource Areas (MLRAs) are 

geographically associated land resource 

units that share a common land use, 

elevation and topography, climate, water, 

soils, and vegetation. Identification of

these large areas is important in statewide 

agricultural planning and has value in 

interstate, regional, and national planning.

Soil Survey Restructuring

In April 2012, NRCS began a national reorganization of its Soil Science Division. Previously the Soil Survey 

Program had been organized with State, Area, and Field Office operations under State leadership. In the

new structure, soil survey operations are managed by Major Land Resource Area offices.

Impact in Wisconsin

The restructuring plan closed the Marquette MI Soils office and assigned much of the upper peninsula of

MI to the Rhinelander Soil Survey Office. Once fully implemented, the Onalaska and Rhinelander offices will

be managed directly by the St. Paul, MN office and the Juneau office will be supervised by the Indianapolis,

IN office.

Soil Services Highlights for 2012

The three MLRA Soil Survey Offices are working on seven projects affecting about 885,000 acres in

Wisconsin and Iowa. These projects are:

•	 MLRA 105 - NuF Map Unit Recorrelation

•	 MLRA 105 - Channeled Phase Upgrade (IA)

•	 MLRA 89 - Lacustrine Soils Correlation in Glacial Lake Wisconsin area

•	 MLRA 94B and 95B - Onaway-Emmet Benchmark Soils Maintenance Project

•	 MLRA 95B - Allentown Drumlin Line Rectification

•	 MLRA 95B - Dunbarton Analysis

In addition, two Ecological Site Projects have been established to describe inter-relationships 

between soils, landforms, and vegetation for major soils in Wisconsin.

1. Ecological Site Inventory of the Mineral Point Prairie Savannah Ecological Subsection of MLRA 105

2. MLRA 94D - Ecological Site Descriptions and Inventory of the Northern Highlands Sandy Drift

Douglas

Ashland

Bayfield

Iron Vilas

Burnett Washburn Sawyer

Forest Price

Florence

Oneida

Polk

Barron Rusk

Lincoln Langlade

Taylor

Oconto Chippewa

Saint Croix Dunn Door Marathon

Menominee

Clark

Marinette

Shawano

Pierce Eau Claire

Pepin

Wood

Portage

Buffalo

Waupaca

Trempealeau

Kewaunee

Jackson

Outagamie

Brown

Juneau

Adams

Waushara Winnebago Calumet

Monroe La Crosse Marquette

Green

Lake Fond du Lac

Vernon

Sauk

Columbia Dodge

Richland Washington

Ozaukee

Crawford

Dane

Grant

Iowa

Jefferson Waukesha Milwaukee

Green Rock Lafayette Walworth

Racine

Kenosha

Sheboygan

Manitowoc

110

105

104

90A

95B

93B 94B

90B

95A

89

90A

92

91B

94D

90A

93B

90A

90A

90B

94B

92

92

L a k e M i c h i g a n

L a k e M i c h i g a n

L a k e S u p e r i o r S u p e r i o r

M i c h i g a n

M i n n e s o t a

I o w a

I l l i n o i s

89 Wisconsin Central Sands

90A Wisconsin and Minnesota Thin Loess and Till,

 Northern Part

90B Wisconsin and Minnesota Thin Loess and Till,

 Southern Part

91B Central Minnesota Sandy Outwash

92 Superior Lake Plain

93B Superior Stony and Rocky Loamy Plains and Hills

 Eastern Part

94B Michigan Eastern Upper Peninsula Sandy Drift

94D Northern Highland Sandy Drift

95A Northern Wisconsin Drift Plain

95B Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois

 Drift Plain

104 Eastern Iowa nd Minnesota Till Prairies

105 Northern Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

110 Northern Illinois and Indiana Heavy Till Plain

 MLRA Project Office
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Wetlands reserve program

Wetlands Reserve Program

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) restores, protects and enhances wetlands on 

private property. It is an opportunity for landowners to receive financial incentives

to restore wetlands that have been drained for agriculture production or have been 

altered by multiple flood events.

Landowners may sell a conservation easement or enter into a costshare restoration 

agreement with USDA to restore and protect wetlands. The landowner voluntarily 

limits future use of the land, yet retains private ownership. The landowner and 

NRCS develop a plan for the restoration and maintenance of the wetland.

Highlights for 2012

Easement Acquisitions $5.3M

Easement Restoration $1.7M

Number of New Easements = 24

Number of Acres Enrolled in New Easements = 1950
Some of the Benefits

• Restore, protect 

and enhance 

wetland 

ecosystems

• Protect the land 

from soil erosion

• Reduce flooding

• Improved wildlife 

habitat including 

threatened and 

endangered species 

habitat

• Improve 

water quality 

and recharge 

groundwater

• Increase biological 

diversity

 ~ Success Story ~

A Family Dream Comes True

A passion for conservation started back in 1933 when brothers Leo and 

Sylvester Price purchased a small hunting property in Juneau County. Over the 

years adjoining parcels of land were purchased making this large tract of land 

a haven for wildlife and wetland species. The family spent many hours taking 

special care to keep the property in its natural, pristine state. This new easement 

is the largest single-family owned wetland restoration in Wisconsin.

These vast wetlands are dominated by native, diverse vegetation. Threatened 

and endangered species of flora and fauna are found and protected here. Some 

of the noteworthy species include the Karner blue butterfly, Blandings turtle, 

cerulean warbler, red-headed woodpecker, bald eagle, trumpeter swan and 

whooping crane.

This 2008-acre WRP conservation easement is located next to the Necedah 

Wildlife Area and the Meadow Valley Wildlife Area, making this area a 

wonderland for wildlife. Lowland floodplain, shallow marsh, shrub carr, upland 

deciduous forest, sedge meadow and open water comprise this easement. The 

property was very well maintained thanks to the Price family and land manager, 

Herb Meltesen, who was caretaker of this property for 67 years.

The NRCS restoration included an upgrade to existing embankments and the 

strategic placement of five earthen ditch plugs. All construction activities were 

completed taking special care to minimize disturbance for all rare species.

WRP is a perfect fit for the Price family. They know that by enrolling this land 

in Wetlands Reserve Program, it will be protected forever - carrying on the 

family’s strong conservation ethic.
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

grazing lands

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) in Wisconsin is comprised 

of individuals and organizations working together to maintain and improve 

the management, productivity, and health of privately owned grazing lands. 

Grazing lands include permanent pasture, pasture rotated with cropland, 

prairie, and oak savanna. Owners and managers of these grazing lands 

address natural resource concerns while contributing to the economic viability 

of their rural communities. GLCI emphasizes high quality, voluntary technical 

assistance and expanded research and education for farmers and managers 

of grazing lands.

NRCS has the primary responsibility to carry out the GLCI. NRCS Grazing 

Land Specialists and Soil Conservationists have the expertise and experience 

to provide technical assistance to landowners and managers regarding the 

long-term productivity and ecological health of their grazing land. Through 

GLCI efforts, WI NRCS has developed a training program for certification as a

“Prescribed/Managed Grazing Planner” which enables NRCS and partnership 

employees to assist land owners and managers in developing a Managed 

Grazing Plan. This plan establishes a proper stocking rate, forage type, as 

well as facilities design for the type of livestock and intensity of grazing 

management desired. Wisconsin now has 55 Prescribed Grazing Planners to 

assist landowners, which includes 32 NRCS employees and 23 from county or 

non-profit organizations.

Highlights for 2012

•	 300 farmers provided with technical assistance

•	 200 grazing plans implemented covering 12,000 acres

•	 5 training workshops conducted for Prescribed Grazing Planners

•	 Approximately 16,000 tons of soil saved from sheet and rill erosion by 

converting cropland to pasture

•	 Reduction in phosphorus and nitrogen runoff by 80 percent compared to 

cropland
•	 Wisconsin Brush Management - 1,668 acres

•	 Fence - 703,229 ft.

•	 Firebreak - 95,548 ft.

•	 Forage Harvest Management - 2,269 acres

•	 Heavy Use Area Protection - 1,690 acres

•	 Forage and Biomass Planting - 3,540 acres

•	 Prescribed Grazing - 12,001 acres

•	 Access Control - 926 acres

•	 Prescribed Burning - 1,054 acres

GLCI Vision for Wisconsin Grazing

Wisconsin agriculture contributes $59 billion to the state’s 

economy. Our 36,000+ livestock farms represent a major 

agricultural sector. We believe that well-managed pasture is 

key to the long term sustainability of Wisconsin’s agricultural 

economy, environment and livestock farming community.

Grazing Practices Installed ~ 2012
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

outreach

Outreach in Wisconsin

Outreach is an important part of the overall delivery of NRCS programs and 

services. NRCS ensures that all programs and services are made available to all 

customers and are an integral part of how we conduct business. 

NRCS has a diverse clientele and reaching out to these customers is an 

important part of our mission. Providing information and education about 

our programs and services to targeted groups develops stronger working 

relationships with the agency. By providing guidance and good communication, 

more underserved groups find out how NRCS can help them with their

agricultural enterprise. 

NRCS in the Field

NRCS uses every avenue to reach out to our historically underserved audiences. 

Some of these activities include:

•	 Women Caring for the Land Learning Circles and Conservation Workshops

•	 Hmong Outreach Conferences and Farmers Market Outreach

•	 Extensive collaboration with the Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory 

Council (WTCAC) to ensure NRCS programs meet tribal resource needs

•	 International Urban Ag Conference targeting urban and minority audiences

•	 Hispanic cultural awareness program and training

•	 County sponsored fairs, farm tours, local radio and newspapers

•	 Conservation Technical Assistance and outreach to Amish Community

•	 Assistance and advice for New and Beginning Farmers
Cheu and Chia Vang moved to America in April 1976 from Laos. Cheu had been in the Laotian Army 

and worked for USA Aid during the war. They moved to Jefferson, Wisconsin, in 2005 and started 

growing vegetables for local Farmer’s Markets.

Cheu contacted NRCS about the seasonal high tunnel pilot project. High tunnels, or hoophouses, 

are unheated greenhouses that can help market gardeners extend their growing season so that they 

can improve the profitability of their farms. Compared to open field conditions, plastic covered 

high tunnels result in a warmer production environment in the late fall and early spring. Financial 

assistance for High Tunnels is made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program 

(EQIP). Now, after working with NRCS staff, he is eager to begin addressing erosion and other soil 

and water issues on his land. 

Cheu Vang produces many kinds of vegetables in his seasonal high tunnel, including exotic varieties that flourish 

with the longer growing season.

 ~ Success Story ~

Extending the Harvest with a High Tunnel
Wisconsin report

2012

Natural Resources Conservation Service

volunteers

Earth Team Volunteer Program 

The Earth Team /NRCS partnership works. It is a great example of cooperative 

conservation that results in environmental benefits everyone can enjoy. NRCS applauds

their hard work, dedication, and commitment to improving our nation’s land, air and 

water.

Earth Team volunteers choose us. They believe in us, our mission and the benefits we

offer the environment. They choose to work alongside us on our conservation projects. 

They do this for the experience, the self-satisfaction, to help the environment and for 

a hundred other reasons. Last year, Earth Team volunteers in Wisconsin collectively 

donated $82,300* worth of assistance to us, our mission and to our customers. Ninetyfive volunteers invested 3,835 hours of their time with us.

*Value of a volunteer hour is $21.49

Patti Jackson-Kelly (L), Assistant State Conservationist 

and Earth Team Volunteer Jill Ewers

Jill Ewers volunteered in the Richland Center Area Office while completing an

internship requirement for her degree at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the NRCS and I would love to become a 

permanent employee of the USDA.” Jill Ewers
special recognition

John R. Ramsden, Wisconsin State Conservation Engineer was

named the national NRCS Engineer of the Year for 2012.

As State Conservation Engineer in Wisconsin since 1994, 

Ramsden leads federal engineering efforts for water quality, 

watershed and flood protection, dam safety, and wetland and

floodplain restoration. He oversees the agency engineering

staff and works with State and local agencies to implement 

conservation programs. In this post, Ramsden works with 

competing and frequently controversial stakeholder interests to 

produce sound technical standards that are cited in Wisconsin 

state laws, and support productive agriculture and a healthy 

environment.

National NRCS Engineer of the Year
USDA celebrates 150 years of service 

to the American people ~ 2012
“Everything we do, all we share, even whatever we amount to as a 

great and enduring people, begins with and rests on the sustained 

productivity of our agricultural land.”

Hugh Hammond Bennett

 from a series of 1959 lectures at North Carolina State University.

Numbers in this Fiscal Year 2012 report provided by Resource Economics, Analysis and Policy (REAP) 

Division of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. January 9, 2013 
Wisconsin

January 2013

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