United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources 

Conservation Service

Wisconsin Report

2015 Annual Report
Helping People

Help the Land

USDA Natural Resources

Conservation Service

8030 Excelsior Drive, Ste 200

Madison, Wisconsin

53717-2913

(608) 662-4422

www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov

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TheUSDANRCS
Contents

1

Contents

Welcome From the State Conservationist................................................................................. 2

Background.............................................................................................................................................. 4

Wisconsin NRCS History .......................................................................................................... 4

Helping People Help the Land............................................................................................... 5

State Resource Priorities........................................................................................................... 5

Accomplishment Highlights............................................................................................................. 6

Budget Overview......................................................................................................................... 6

Local Working Groups.............................................................................................................. 6

Technical Assistance.................................................................................................................. 7

Conservation Performance Results..................................................................................... 7

Conservation Programs..................................................................................................................... 8

Environmental Quality Incentives Program................................................................... 8

 Obligated Practices by Financial Investment.....................................................10

 Obligated Practices by Practice Count...................................................................11

Regional Conservation Partnership Program..............................................................12

Conservation Stewardship Program................................................................................13

Landscape Initiatives.........................................................................................................................14

Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative.....................................................14

Lake Superior Landscape Restoration Partnership..................................................14

Mississippi River Basin Initiative........................................................................................15

National Water Quality Initiative.....................................................................................15

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.....................................................................................16

Easement Programs...........................................................................................................................17

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program...........................................................17

 Wetland Reserve Easements.......................................................................................17

 Agricultural Land Easements.....................................................................................17

Success Stories.....................................................................................................................................18

Managed Grazing Suits Beginning Farmer..................................................................18

Dairying in the Fox River Watershed..............................................................................19

Hard Work Pays Off................................................................................................................20

Got Soil? Make it Healthy ....................................................................................................21

Flashinski Family Farm Flourishes....................................................................................22

Addition of Bee-Friendly Prairie Habitat......................................................................23

Soils...........................................................................................................................................................24

Outreach ................................................................................................................................................25

Special Recognition ...........................................................................................................................26

Federal Agency of the Year, Small Category................................................................26

Jason Nemecek, State Soil Scientist of the Year.........................................................26

Earth Team............................................................................................................................................27

Volunteers Make a Difference............................................................................................27

Scott Mueller, National Earth Team Award Winner...............................................27

State Map..............................................................................................................................................28
Greetings

In this fiscal year (FY) 2015 Wisconsin 

Annual Report, you will see snapshots of 

Wisconsin’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) approach in helping 

people help the land to use it productively 

for future generations. You will meet many 

Wisconsin landowners and farmers who 

have had success in partnering with us. 

You’ll learn about our program and outreach successes, along with highlights of the 

work we do strongly focused on meeting 

responsibilities in a cost-effective, timely, 

and accountable manner.

It has been an exciting and challenging year for NRCS with the continued use of 

the new 2014 Farm Bill. This new Farm Bill reinforced congressional support for, 

and interest in, getting conservation on the ground. One new conservation program created, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), is bringing 

record levels of conservation practice installation through public-private 

investments.

Other highlights of the new Farm Bill include continued investments in our base 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and our Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). There are also continued investments envisioned for 

Easements (both wetlands and working lands), and a recoupling of conservation 

compliance with crop insurance. We encourage you to visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov 

for information regarding all of NRCS–Wisconsin’s technical tools, services, and 

financial assistance.

NRCS–Wisconsin has had many great accomplishments in this productive year, 

and we couldn’t do it without our partners. I would like to take this opportunity 

to thanks them.

• The farmers in Wisconsin who stepped up to enroll in the CSP and EQIP, adding 

new acres of conservation; and the thousands of farmers and landowners seeking conservation technical assistance to remedy an erosion problem, improve 

their water quality, conserve their water, or enhance wildlife habitat, thank you;

Greetings

2

Jimmy Bramblett, State Conservationist

• Welcome from the State Conservationist
Greetings

3

Jimmy Bramblett, State Conservationist

• The many partners in conservation that we work with, particularly the Land 

Conservation Committees and Departments, collaborating to make the most of 

our dollars and help provide the best technical assistance and programs possible, thank you;

• The NRCS staff, who shoulder an overwhelming workload, but they gain the 

satisfaction of seeing the work that they do build healthier land and water. In 

2015, we provided $51 million through all programs to farmers for conservation 

efforts. To all of you, thank you!

This year, NRCS celebrates 80 years of being pioneers in conservation, working 

with landowners, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to 

maintain healthy and productive working lands. We can be proud of our conservation heritage, as leaders and believers, we will continue to change and grow to 

meet our new challenges as an agency. 

I am proud to share with you the FY 2015 Wisconsin Annual Report from NRCS, 

highlighting some of our conservation accomplishments. I welcome your comments and feedback, and look forward to another great year helping people 

help the land.

Sign up online for

Client Gateway

A secure online portal for individual landowners 

and land managers to track payments, request 

assistance, sign documents, and request 

conservation assistance anytime, anywhere

www.nrcs.usda.gov/clientgateway 
Background

4

The First in the Nation for Conservation

Our agency was born in 1935, during a time of hardship and desperation, when 

the very soil that put food on our tables was literally blowing in the wind. 

Erosion was such a serious problem in the 1930’s that it awakened the nation to 

heed the message of a man named Hugh Hammond Bennett to save our soil. 

We began to realize then, and we must not ever forget, how the protection of 

our soil and water is the foundation of the health and wealth of our country.

It took only 70 years, from the time of the first infusion of white settlers, to the 

early 1930’s, for traditional farming methods to reduce the land around Coon 

Creek, Wisconsin, and elsewhere in the state, from pristine to the brink of 

agricultural uselessness.

Wisconsin became the home of the first erosion control demonstration project 

in the country, the wildly successful Coon Creek Watershed in Vernon County. 

It was 22 miles long, nine miles wide, 92,000 acres over three counties, with 

outlet directly to the Mississippi River. There, the science and art of soil 

conservation to protect our land, water, food, and nation, began. 

Background

• Wisconsin NRCS History
Background

5

Thanks to the vision of early conservation leaders, our prosperity as a nation 

aware of conservation, is flourishing. The conservation legacy in this state, from 

our Coon Creek Watershed beginnings, lead to today’s establishment and success 

of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) NRCS. 

The NRCS is committed to helping private landowners care for the land, use it 

productively, and excel as stewards for the future. America’s working lands produce food and fiber, clear air and water, wildlife, and healthy soil. Farming can be 

one of the most environmentally compatible uses of land that there is.

NRCS is the leader in helping people make sound choices for healthy land and 

water. Through voluntary incentive-based programs, NRCS works directly with 

farmers and landowners to provide technical expertise and financial assistance to 

make conservation work on private lands.

The conservation practices NRCS promotes, everything from practices that manage excess nutrients and waste on farms to practices that promote soil health, 

among a host of others, are helping to protect our natural resources for the long 

term while at the same time improving Wisconsin farms. Taking care of the landscape in concert with agricultural productivity is our goal.

NRCS celebrates 80 years of working with farmers and landowners, local and state 

governments, and other federal agencies to maintain healthy and productive 

working lands. 

• Water Quality Degradation

• Soil Erosion

• Soil Quality Degradation

• Inadequate Habitat for Fish and Wildlife

• Degraded Plant Conditions

• Helping People Help the Land

• State Resource Priorities

• Livestock Production Limitation

• Excess Water and Insufficient Water

• Air Quality

• Insufficient Energy
Accomplishment Highlights

6

Accomplishment Highlights

• Budget Overview

$51 Million 

Provided 

Through 

Conservation

Programs

FY 2015 NRCS–Wisconsin Program Dollars 

• Local Working Groups

Local Working Groups, a subcommittee of the State Technical Committee, 

offer an avenue for interested individuals and groups to advise NRCS on local 

resource priorities for program funding. Local Working Groups are comprised of 

two or more counties united by geography, similar land use, resource, and type 

of agriculture.

In 2015, each of the 21 Local Working Groups met to gather input on resource 

concerns, and identify EQIP funding priorities for the upcoming year. Over 

600 participants attended Local Working Group meetings which was an increase of 100 from the previous year. Collaboration was excellent, continued 

learning took place, and partnerships were developed and strengthened.

Agricultural Conservation 

Easement Program–

Agricultural Land 

Easements $360,000

(F15 New Obligations)

Conservation Security

Program $424,000

(FY15 Payments)

Wetlands Reserve Program

Restorations $1.8 million

Agricultural Conservation 

Easement Program–

Wetland Reserve 

Easements $2.4 million

(FY15 New Obligations)

Conservation

Stewardship

Program $6.2 million

(FY15 New

Obligations)

Conservation

Stewardship

Program

$17.9 million

(FY15 Payments)

Environmental 

Quality Incentives 

Program 

$22.6 million

(FY15 New Obligations)
Accomplishment Highlights

7

NRCS offers technical assistance to address opportunities, concerns, and problems 

related to the use of natural resources to help landowners make sound resource 

management decisions on private, tribal, and other non-federal lands. 

Every county in Wisconsin has a conservation team to assist in conservation planning. 

Having a conservation plan allows landowners to participate in financial assistance 

and easement programs. Conservation Technical Assistance is a voluntary program 

carried out by NRCS, partnering with local county conservation professionals.

NRCS assists landowners in conserving resources on private lands by providing technical assistance and financial assistance available through voluntary incentive-based 

programs. Highlights of our accomplishments are listed below.

• 2,190 Conservation Plans written on 324,518 acres

• 682 acres of wetlands created, restored, or enhanced

• 59 Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans written

• 426,436 acres with conservation applied to improve water quality

• 1,089 acres with conservation applied to improve agricultural irrigation 

water management

• 1,786 acres with conservation applied to improve irrigation efficiencies

• 374,621 acres of cropland with conservation applied to improve soil quality

• 39,245 acres of cropland with conservation applied to improve soil health 

and sustainability

• 10,105 acres of cropland with applied soil health management systems

• 445,196 acres of conservation applied to improve environmental quality

• 17,686 acres of non-Federal land with conservation applied to improve fish 

and wildlife habitat

 • 24,192 acres of forest land with conservation applied to protect and improve 

vegetative condition

• 17,801 acres of grazing land with conservation applied to improve resource 

base

• 7,723 acres of grazing land with conservation systems applied to achieve a 

sustainable forage-animal balance

Data Source: Performance Results System (PRS) October 2014

• Technical Assistance

• Conservation Performance Results
Conservation Programs

Conservation Programs

—EQIP

8

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides voluntary conservation programs that promote agricultural production, forest management, 

and environmental quality to help install or implement structural, agronomic, 

or management conservation practices to protect soil and water quality.

Farmers develop a conservation plan for the acreage affected by 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.

Special EQIP Opportunities

Honey Bee—NRCS helps farmers and landowners implement conservation 

practices that will provide safe and diverse food sources for honey bees. Pasture 

management, wildlife habitat, and appropriate cover crops are used as tools 

to improve the health of our honey bees, which support more than $15 billion 

worth of agricultural production.

On-Farm Energy—NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption 

on an operation. Audit data is used to develop energy conservation 

recommendations. The Landscape AgEMP assesses equipment and farming 

processes. The farm headquarters AgEMP assesses power usage and efficiency 

in livestock buildings, grain handling operations, and similar facilities to support 

the farm operation.

Organic—NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers, and also those 

working to achieve certification, to install conservation practices to address 

resource concerns on organic operations.
Conservation Programs—EQIP

9

High Tunnel Systems (Hoop House)—NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels, steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend 

growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include 

better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, 

and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. 

Supporting conservation practices such as grassed waterways, and diversions are 

available to address resource concerns on operations with high tunnel structures.

Cover Crops—Cover crops are grasses, legumes, forbs or other herbaceous plants 

that are established for seasonal cover and conservation purposes. They are used 

to reduce wind or water erosion by establishing cover after a minimal residue 

crop, to use up excess nutrients in the soil profile, for weed suppression, to provide nutrient for the next crop, to increase carbon sequestration, and improve soil 

structure. Cover crops may be used on all lands needing vegetative cover for natural resource protection and improvement. They are an excellent tool for helping 

to improve soil health.

FY 2015 EQIP Funding Highlights

• Provided $22.6 million in financial assistance

(includes all initiatives and special funding).

• Established 1,097 contracts.

• Enrolled 85,803 acres.

• Obligated $1.3 million in 91 contracts 

covering 3,374 acres for the honey bee 

initiative sign-up opportunity.

• Obligated $930,000 in 107 contracts 

covering 13,174 acres for the cover 

crops special sign-up opportunity.
Conservation Programs—EQIP

10

Conservation Programs

EQIP Top 40 Obligated Practices by Financial Investment 

(includes all initiatives and special funding)

Practice

Practice 

Count 

(Number)

 FY15 

Obligation 

(Dollars) 

Waste Storage Facility 61 5,784,793 

Cover Crop 513 2,337,026 

Waste Transfer 80 1,283,480 

Fence 246 1,008,064 

Heavy Use Area Protection 110 887,436 

Streambank and Shoreline Protection 72 881,327 

Waste Facility Closure 35 716,784 

Prescribed Grazing 288 627,722 

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan CAP 66 604,516 

Pumping Plant 55 595,670 

Conservation Cover 115 553,328 

Forage and Biomass Planting 115 506,525 

Grade Stabilization Structure 56 472,460 

Nutrient Management 86 419,592 

Irrigation System, Sprinkler 10 382,309 

Grassed Waterway 187 379,773 

Mulching 228 363,258 

Pipeline 132 323,567 

Access Road 50 305,348 

Seasonal High Tunnel for Crops 38 295,257 

Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane 5 255,045 

Brush Management 68 245,199 

Lighting System Improvement 15 236,954 

Solid/Liquid Waste Separation Facility 5 218,665 

Vegetated Treatment Area 36 183,435 

Lined Waterway or Outlet 18 177,839 

Subsurface Drain 30 172,204 

Waste Treatment 2 160,764 

Early Successional Habitat Development and Management 32 157,848 

Anaerobic Digester 1 150,000 

Stream Crossing 73 135,727 

Forest Stand Improvement 42 121,305 

Roofs and Covers 7 114,854 

Prescribed Burning 23 98,888 

Aquaculture Pond 3 97,312 

Irrigation Pipeline 6 89,408 

Wetland Restoration 15 89,264 

Spoil Spreading 41 82,084 

Obstruction Removal 67 80,085 

Forest Management Plan 72 71,889 

Data Source: NRCS Resource Economics and Analysis Division
Conservation Programs—EQIP

11

EQIP Top 40 Obligated Practices by Practice Count

(includes all initiatives and special funding)

Practice 

Practice 

Count 

(Number)

 FY15 

Obligation 

(Dollars) 

Cover Crop 513 2,337,026 

Prescribed Grazing 288 627,722 

Fence 246 1,008,064 

Mulching 228 363,258 

Grassed Waterway 187 379,773 

Critical Area Planting 156 55,827 

Pipeline 132 323,567 

Conservation Cover 115 553,328 

Forage and Biomass Planting 115 506,525 

Heavy Use Area Protection 110 887,436 

Watering Facility 110 68,743 

Nutrient Management 86 419,592 

Waste Transfer 80 1,283,480 

Stream Crossing 73 135,727 

Forest Management Plan 72 71,889 

Streambank and Shoreline Protection 72 881,327 

Brush Management 68 245,199 

Obstruction Removal 67 80,085 

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan CAP 66 604,516 

Waste Storage Facility 61 5,784,793 

Grade Stabilization Structure 56 472,460 

Pumping Plant 55 595,670 

Access Road 50 305,348 

Forest Stand Improvement 42 121,305 

Spoil Spreading 41 82,084 

Underground Outlet 40 58,155 

Seasonal High Tunnel for Crops 38 295,257 

Residue and Tillage Management–No-Till/ Strip Till/ Direct Seed 36 29,482 

Vegetated Treatment Area 36 183,435 

Waste Facility Closure 35 716,784 

Tree & Shrub Establishment 35 64,302 

Structures for Wildlife 35 14,464 

Stream Habitat Improvement 30 71,330 

Subsurface Drain 30 172,204 

Early Successional Habitat Development and Management 32 157,848

Tree & Shrub Site Preparation 25 42,350 

Roof Runoff Structure 24 36,490 

Prescribed Burning 23 98,888 

Conservation Crop Rotation 20 32,364 

Diverson 18 21,205

Data Source: NRCS Resource Economics and Analysis Division
Conservation Programs—RCPP

12

Conservation Programs

• Regional Conservation Partnership Program

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) uses partnerships to 

multiply conservation investments and reach goals on a regional or watershed 

scale, promoting coordination between partners to deliver assistance to producers 

and landowners. NRCS provides assistance through partnership agreements and 

program contracts or easement agreements.

NRCS and its partners help producers install and maintain conservation activities 

in selected project areas. Partners leverage RCPP funding in project areas and 

report on the benefits achieved. RCPP encourages partners to join in efforts with 

producers to increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife, 

and related natural resources on regional or watershed scales.

Wisconsin secured 4 agreements and 7 projects for full proposal submission to 

improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support 

wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. Below are RCPP agreements, 

funded through EQIP.

• American Bird Conservancy in Wisconsin: Obligated $95,000 in 19 EQIP 

contracts covering 908 acres. 

• City of Oconomowoc: Obligated $24,000 in one EQIP contract covering 

479 acres. 

• Dane County Land & Water Resources Department: Obligated $75,000 in 

seven EQIP contracts covering 263 acres. 

• Sauk County Conservation, Planning, & Zoning Department: Obligated 

$69,000 in 17 EQIP contracts covering 897 acres. 
13

• Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program helps agricultural producers maintain 

and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resource concerns. CSP provides assistance to 

landowners who practice good stewardship on their land and are willing to take 

additional steps over the next five years. 

Through CSP, participants take additional steps to improve resource condition 

including soil quality, water quality, water quantity, air quality, and habitat 

quality, as well as energy. NRCS coordinates its implementation of CSP with the 

other premier Farm Bill working lands program, EQIP. CSP and EQIP work in a 

complementary manner to address conservation issues associated with agricultural operations. CSP provides financial and technical assistance to help land 

stewards install additional conservation practices. Eligible lands include private 

or tribal cropland, grassland, pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private 

forest lands, and other land in agricultural use.

Conservation Programs

—CSP

FY 2015 CSP Funding Highlights

• Established 769 new contracts.

• Provided $6.2 million in financial assistance. 

• Enrolled 348,385 new acres.

FY 2010–FY 2015 CSP Funding Highlights

• Enrolled 991,251 total acres as of 9/2015.

• Established 2,505 active contracts as of 9/2015.
Landscape Initiatives

14

Landscape Initiatives

NRCS recognizes that natural resource concerns transcend farm, county, and state 

boundaries. The most effective way to increase protection of natural resources is 

to target conservation to the most vulnerable or valuable areas and to apply a systems, rather than a practice-by-practice approach to conservation. By approaching 

large-scale resource concerns on a landscape level, this science based approach 

puts conservation in the right places.

NRCS is targeting conservation assistance to critical resources through a number 

of landscape scale initiatives. In Wisconsin, the initiatives are allowing NRCS and 

partners to focus staff and financial assistance on targeted resource concern issues 

in selected priority watersheds.

• Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative

The Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative (DALCI) targets additional funding for erosion 

control and fish and wildlife habitat projects in the 

four-state area of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and 

Minnesota. In FY 2015, Wisconsin obligated 

$1.4 million in 114 EQIP contracts covering 

4,310 acres.

• Lake Superior Landscape Restoration Partnership

This partnership is located in Northern Wisconsin’s 

Beartrap-Nemadji and Bad-Montreal Watersheds 

to improve the Lake Superior basin. In partnership 

with the U.S. Forest Service, NRCS offers special 

funding to help farmers improve farm and livestock 

operations while improving water quality. The NRCS 

provided additional funds to help forest landowners improve timber quality, and wildlife habitat for 

deer and grouse. In FY 2015, Wisconsin obligated 

$795,000 in 42 EQIP contracts cover 4,203 acres.
• Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative

NRCS and partners are helping producers in selected 

watersheds in the Mississippi River Basin voluntarily implement conservation practices that avoid, 

control, and trap nutrient runoff; improve wildlife 

habitat; and maintain agricultural productivity. Two 

projects were prioritized including the Rush River in 

Pierce County and Sixmile Creek Watershed in Dane 

County. In FY 2015, Wisconsin obligated $246,000 in 

11 EQIP contracts covering 1,641 acres.

Landscape Initiatives

15

• National Water Quality Initiative

The National Water Quality Initiative is committed 

to improving impaired waterways throughout the 

nation. Three watersheds were prioritized including 

the Pigeon Lake-Pigeon River in Waupaca County, 

Horse Lake-Horse Creek in Polk County, and Big 

Green Lake in Big Green County. NRCS manages the 

initiative by making funds available to farmers and 

forest landowners in the selected watersheds to accomplish needed conservation practices to reduce 

sediment and nutrient runoff on agricultural lands. 

In FY 2015, Wisconsin obligated $158,000 in nine 

EQIP contracts covering 586 acres.
Landscape Initiatives (continued)

Landscape Initiatives

16

• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

NRCS, along with 11 other Federal Agencies, 

are supporting and participating in the Great 

Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). This initiative addresses urgent issues such as cleaning up 

Great Lakes areas of concern, preventing and 

controlling invasive species, reducing nutrient 

runoff that contributes to harmful or nuisance 

algal blooms, and restoring habitat to protect 

native species. 

NRCS and the Great Lakes Commission established the Great Lakes Demonstration Farm 

Network, and are partnering with four farms in 

the Lower Fox Watershed in northeast Wisconsin. These farms are installing leading edge 

conservation practices that reduce phosphorus 

runoff. The demonstration farms showcase the 

practices by conducting field days and tours for 

farmers. NRCS and the Great lakes Commission 

continue to advance the completion of the 

“Fox P Trade” project which is analyzing supply 

and demand for phosphorus credits, and evaluating the best approach for the establishment 

of a nutrient credit trading program for the 

Lower Fox Watershed. The trading guidebook 

is anticipated to be completed in 2016. In 

FY 2015, Wisconsin obligated $2.8 million in 64 contracts covering 7,018 acres 

to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff in the Lower Fox Watershed through a 

special GLRI-EQIP phosphorus reduction program sign-up. 

In FY 2015, Wisconsin obligated $1.1 million in 27 contracts covering 2,241 acres 

to improve water quality in Lake Michigan through a special GLRI-EQIP nearshore 

health program sign-up. Funding for installation of core conservation practices 

that reduce sediment and nutrient runoff were focused in targeted subwatersheds in the Manitowoc-Sheboygan and Milwaukee watersheds in 

eastern Wisconsin. 
Easement Programs

17

Easement Programs

• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program 

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) provides financial 

and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands, wetlands, and their 

related benefits. 

FY 2015 ACEP Funding Highlights

• Wetland Reserve Easements: Obligated 

$2.4 million in eight easements covering 

485 acres. 

• Agricultural Land Easements: Obligated 

$360,000 in two easements covering 

329 acres.

Wetland Reserve Easements: Provides technical and financial assistance directly to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect, and enhance 

wetlands through the purchase of a Wetland Reserve Easements. For acreage 

owned by an Indian tribe, there is an additional enrollment option of a 

30-year contract.

Agricultural Land Easements: NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible 

partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, 

the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The 

program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by 

conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, and shrubland. 
Success Story Highlights

Success Story Highlights

• Managed Grazing Suits Beginning Farmer

Carlos and Kathy Tennessen, and daughter Amanda, are beginning farmers, just 

getting started with managed grazing. Their small operation on 59 acres feeds 

35 head of beef.

They out wintered cattle with bales for the first time this year. Last year, the cattle 

were in the barn, and the Tennessens found themselves spending enormous 

amounts of time feeding animals and cleaning barns. With grazing, even in winter, 

the cattle feed themselves and no barn cleaning is needed.

Good fencing is essential, as is an all-weather watering system, all designed by 

Adam Abel, NRCS Soil Conservationist, Appleton Area Office, with financial 

assistance through EQIP. Cattle are moved every two or three days, to allow good 

quality forage to recover and regrow quickly. Enough forage is available to be 

baled to provide hay throughout the winter months. Manure management, soil 

erosion, and runoff are no longer an issue on the farm.

“Working with NRCS has been a really good experience. We went with NRCS 

to visit another well-established beef grazer, and we were sold.” The farm visit 

convinced Carlos and Kathy they could make NRCS programs work for them too. 

NRCS provided financial and technical assistance to help the Tennessens start 

grazing. 

Now the Tennessens are hosting pasture walks to help others who are 

interested see the ease and potential in successful managed grazing.

Read complete success stories on our website!

www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/wi/newsroom/

18
Success Story Highlights

• Dairying in the Fox River Watershed

Brothers Paul and Ken Hoelzel operate a dairy farm in the Fox River Watershed, 

milking 360 cows, and farming 800 acres, half of which is owned, and half rented. For 10 years, the Hoelzels have succeeded in nutrient management planning. 

Diane Ott, their crop consultant, and has worked with the Hoelzel family for 

over 30 years to assist them in putting conservation to work on their dairy farm.

“The Fox River is not far, and the heavy rains in 2013 showed the need for 

improved manure storage,” said Diane. Through GLRI, the Hoelzels were able to 

begin a new manure management regimen to significantly reduce runoff and 

phosphorus going into the Fox River.

Their previous manure storage system consisted of a small, aging concrete pit 

and an earthen pit, which allowed only six months of storage. The new concrete 

pit, installed with the help of NRCS, provides a full year of storage, 3.5 million 

gallons, so manure can be spread when conditions are right for minimum risk of 

runoff. The new system includes a vegetated treatment area with underground 

tank and pump for transporting manure from barn to pit.

Diane, who is an NRCS-certified Technical Service Provider, developed a comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan to incorporate the new manure storage 

facilities, improved nutrient management, and erosion control practices.

In addition, Paul and Ken invested in energy reduction practices identified 

through an EQIP Energy Management Plan. The Hoelzels are also enrolled in 

the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), with many enhancements for 

wildlife, water, and soil quality. According to Lynn Sculczewski, NRCS District 

Conservationist for Outagamie County, Paul and Ken don’t make a lot of noise, 

but they are very big on conservation. 

19
Success Story Highlights

Success Story Highlights

• Hard Work Pays Off

Greg Nettekoven was born into a farm family; and he and his wife, Karon, have 

grown to love farming. Greg is a second generation farmer who grew up working 

on his family’s 760 acres of tillable land. The Nettekoven family farm, established 

in the 1940s, started with milk cows, and eventually led to raising beef and hogs. 

Spending days in the sunshine tending to livestock and tilling fields as a child, grew 

into a passion for farming and conservation of the land. Greg and his wife, Karon, 

took over the farm in 1988, turning the beef and hog operation into working the 

land to grow vegetable crops, including peas, sweet corn, and beans. He and his 

wife have changed their operation over the years, from livestock to maintaining 

crop diversity with a corn, bean, winter wheat, and alfalfa rotation that includes 

cover crops. 

The Nettekovens interest in soil health, and a goal of revitalizing their land sparked 

a connection with the NRCS, leading him into a cooperative agreement enrolling 

his 800-acre farm in CSP, and participating as one of four accessible Great Lakes 

Demonstration Farms, in the Fox River Watershed, as part of GLRI. The initiative 

places leading-edge conservation practices on the ground to reduce phosphorus 

entering Green Bay and Lake Michigan. “Many farmers think about implementing 

conservation practices, but need help with resources and advice, and that’s where 

NRCS comes in. CSP is a great planning tool to help farmers think through applying conservation enhancements. NRCS has great people with expertise on staff to 

direct questions and needs in the right place, examples of what has worked well 

before, and having a local service center connection in almost every Wisconsin 

county is priceless,” said Greg. 

Greg says of the experience, “It’s amazing in the spring to walk my healthy land 

and see crops sprouting, thinking wow, I did that. It’s very rewarding.”

20
• Got Soil? Make it Healthy

George Van Wychen has been farming since 1977, and planting cover crops for 

15 years. “I have a passion for healthy soil. I don’t want to see brown creeks and 

runoff from tilled fields in the spring,” said George. “I am proud of my farm and

want to show what we’ve done with cover crops, erosion control, and building 

healthy soils here.” George’s son, Nick Van Wychen, is equally committed to 

building the soil and keeping the water clean. Nick is an outdoorsman and an 

environmentalist, as well as a farmer. That’s why the Van Wychens agreed to 

serve as one of four Great Lakes Demonstration Farms in the Fox River Watershed Phosphorus Reduction Initiative.

These Farms demonstrate the best, leading-edge conservation practices to 

reduce phosphorus entering Green Bay and Lake Michigan. The NRCS and the 

Great Lakes Commission (GLC), in collaboration with the Brown County Land 

and Water Conservation Department and Outagamie County Land Conservation Department, have organized the successful Farm network.

Brent Peterson, project manager for the Lower Fox Demonstration Farms Network, points out that these are innovative farmers, conservation leaders as well 

as community leaders. That’s why they were selected and that’s why they are 

working so hard to show how conservation can improve this watershed. Great 

minds have come together to work on these problems, and there are great ideas 

being tested. “The momentum is really growing”, said Jim Jolly, Brown County 

Conservationist. “These farmers are committed; they are really invested in 

making this work.” 

The Van Wychens will continue building the health of the soil and sharing 

what they’ve learned to help others see the benefits of good conservation.

Success Story Highlights

21
Success Story Highlights

Success Story Highlights

• Flashinski Family Farm Flourishes

Heather and Mark Flashinski bought their 80-acre farm in Cadott, Wisconsin, in 

2006. As new owners, Mark and Heather had plans and goals for their acreage to 

address their natural resource concerns on the farm. They wanted to revitalize the 

woods on the property and create more wildlife habitat. Working with the NRCS 

has been an important part of their plan. Tammy Lindsay, District Conservationist 

and staff from the NRCS Chippewa Falls Service Center, developed a conservation 

plan with the Flashinskis to address their concerns. What was permanent pasture, is 

now productive pasture through planting native legumes and managed rotational 

grazing. 

Through CSP, Heather and Mark agreed to undertake additional conservation activities and improve, maintain, and manage existing conservation practices on their 

farm. “When I learned about all the practices suggested through CSP, I wanted to do 

all of them because there are so many great things for the environment,” Heather 

said. “But we concentrated on only a few for now.” One of the CSP conservation 

enhancements included improving pasture by planting a mix including legumes, 

which increase forage quality and improve soil fertility. Another enhancement 

included monitoring the key grazing areas on their farm to improve grazing management. By monitoring plant productivity and measuring forage heights, determinations can be made for grazing land management systems. Another enhancement 

included establishing a windbreak to create new wildlife habitat, and provide a 

shelter for many animal species.

Heather says “NRCS is easy to work with and they are willing to share their expertise.” Today, the Flashinski farm provides direct-from-the-farm grass-fed beef and 

other naturally grown foods that are good for one’s health and for the environment.

22
• Addition of Bee-Friendly Prairie Habitat

James MacDonald owns 120 acres of rural land in Green County, Wisconsin. 

Through the NRCS EQIP, James expanded relic prairie on his land, including 

planting 3 acres of native pollinator mix through EQIP financial assistance. His 

prairie is in blossom all summer, with plants blooming at different times. “There 

are hundreds of prairie plants and they sort of pass off who’s in bloom, so 

from the end of the snow until the snow falls again there’s always something in 

bloom,” said James.

MacDonald says between his neighbors, there are about 100 hives within two 

miles of his property, so many bees use his prairie for food. James had a good 

idea of what bee-friendly mixes he wanted to plant so NRCS provided financial 

assistance, as well as technical assistance in site visits and checking to ensure his 

seed mix was adequate.

You don’t have to own a lot of land to help out the bees. You can do your part 

to plant flowers and other pollinator-friendly plants at home to attract honey 

bees and help their population thrive. 

EQIP assistance provided to landowners, like MacDonald, will provide guidance 

and support to farmers and ranchers to implement conservation practices that 

will provide safe and diverse food sources for honey bees. For example, appropriate cover crops or pasture management may provide quality forage and 

habitat for honey bees and other pollinators, as well as reduce erosion, increase 

the health of their soil, and inhibit invasive species.

“The 2014 Farm Bill keeps pollinators as a high priority, and these conservation 

efforts are one way NRCS is working to help this important species in Wisconsin,” Bramblett said.

Success Story Highlights

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Soils

Soils

• International Year of Soils

Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource. As world population and food 

production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount 

importance. By farming using soil health principles and systems that include no-till, 

cover cropping and diverse rotations, more and more farmers are actually increasing their soil’s organic matter and improving microbial activity. As a result, farmers 

are sequestering more carbon, increasing water infiltration, improving wildlife and 

pollinator habitat—all while harvesting better profits and often better yields.

NRCS joined groups across the world to celebrate the International Year of Soils in 

2015. The 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly designated 2015 for 

the yearlong soils celebration as a way to increase understanding of the importance 

of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions. Soil health was promoted all year to farmers, landowners, and partners, workshops were held across the 

state, materials were distributed at conferences and career fairs, farm tours were 

held focusing on our soils, and much more.

Our educational campaign called “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil” has provided farmers with important information about caring for their 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.

Healthy soil is essential as global demands rise for food, fuel, and fiber. Soils also 

play a crucial role in food security, hunger eradication, climate change adaptation, 

poverty reduction, and sustainable development. As America’s agency for soil conservation, classification and studies, NRCS is excited that 2015 brought worldwide 

attention to the importance of soil.

24
• Communicating Our Message

Outreach is part of NRCS’s daily business. We work to ensure that programs and 

services are made accessible to all customers, while placing special emphasis 

on those who may be under-served. Historically, underserved audiences have 

included minorities, tribes, women, the disabled, new farmers, veteran farmers, 

limited resource farmers and small-scale farmers. Outreach involves understanding customers and their needs, learning how best to communicate with 

various groups, earning the trust and acceptance of customers, and developing 

partnerships and working relationships. FY 2015 outreach activity highlights are 

below. 

• Participated and exhibited at many events including:

• Farm Technology Days, the largest WI annual farm show; 

• World Dairy Expo; 

• Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service Conference, the 

largest U.S. organic and sustainable farming event; 

• Pheasants Forever National Conference; 

• Farm Bureau Conference; 

• Grassworks Grazing Conference; 

• Wisconsin Wetlands Association Conference; 

• Agri-Business Crop Management Conference; 

• Wisconsin Land Water Conference; 

• Food Sovereignty Summit, Collaboration for Sustainability;

• Professional development workshops for all ages and the under-served 

on soil health and conservation; and 

• many other field days, general and under-served targeted career fairs, 

local events and county fairs.

• Hosted many events and farm tours for farmers, partners, landowners, and 

congressionals. One highlight included Secretary of Agriculture Tom 

Vilsack visiting for a tour and roundtable on RCPP with various partners.

Outreach

Outreach

25
Special Recognition

Special Recognition

• Federal Agency of the Year, Small Category

The NRCS–Wisconsin State Office was selected as 2015’s award winner in the 

Federal Agency of the Year, Small Category, honoring them with achieving the 

greatest impact in meeting the agency’s goals, mission, and overall success of the 

organization. 

GMFAA representatives; guest speaker, U. S. Congressman Mark Pocan; and representatives from both U.S. Senator Tammie Baldwin’s and Senator Ron Johnson’s 

offices presented NRCS–Wisconsin State Office with the award during a recognition ceremony held May 4, 2015, at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans 

Hospital in Madison. U.S. Congressman, Mark Pocan spoke to Federal Employees 

about their work efforts, “Personally, thank you so much for what you do; your 

work is valued and it really does matter...I appreciate all the different services you 

provide to our country as public employees and what you do for the people to 

fundamentally and substantially help them.” 

• Jason Nemecek, State Soil Scientist of the Year

Wisconsin State Soil Scientist, Jason Nemecek, received the prestigious National 

Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS), Soil Scientist of the Year Award. Jason has 

15 years of service with the NCSS soil survey program and the USDA NRCS. 

Jason’s passion for soil and conservation led him to a degree in Soils and Natural 

Resource Management from UW−Stevens Point. After graduating, he started his 

career with NRCS as a soil scientist.

“There will always be a need for soil scientists to collect and improve data, provide 

technical soil services, and educate landowners and partners on healthy soil practices,” said Jason. Soil data and healthy soil resources promote the NRCS mission 

of Helping People Help the Land, support Farm Bill conservation activities, and 

aid landowners in efficiency and productivity on their lands. 26
• Volunteers Make a Difference in Wisconsin

The Earth Team is NRCS’s volunteer workforce that is making a difference in every county in the nation. NRCS works with private landowners to improve soil 

quality, conserve water, improve air quality, and enhance wildlife habitat. Earth 

Team volunteers work side-by-side with conservation professionals and are an 

integral part of the conservation partnership.

Earth Team offers many opportunities for people who are interested in volunteering to improve the nation’s natural resources. People who are 14-years-old 

and older can volunteer. Volunteers can work part-time or full-time, work 

outdoors or inside a local NRCS office, individually or as a group. 

In FY15, Wisconsin had 63 volunteers working a total of 3,122 hours! 

Earth Team

Earth Team

• Scott Mueller, National Earth Team Award Winner

Scott Mueller, Wisconsin Assistant State Conservation Engineer, was recognized 

as a National Earth Team Award Winner for having done an outstanding job 

working with volunteers. Mueller, mentored seniors in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He worked directly with 

Biological Systems Engineering classes at UW-Madison to recruit student volunteers. Seniors are required to complete a Senior Design Project to graduate. The 

Earth Team volunteer program offers students an opportunity to experience 

real-world engineering. Gaining this experience with the NRCS–Wisconsin as a 

volunteer has helped many students secure career positions in the conservation 

field.

27
Area 1

Northwest

Area 2

Northeast

Area 3

Southwest

Area 3

Southwest

NRCS Wisconsin 

Offices by Area

State Office

Area Office

Service Center

Service Center 

(serves multiple 

counties)

State Map

USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can 

access the services provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 

Farm Service Agency, and Rural Development. Service Centers are located in 

every county across Wisconsin. 

Visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/contact/local/ 

to find your nearest service center.

State Map

28

Robert Geitner, NRCS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, 

employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment 

or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited 

bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights 

program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, 

or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter 

containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form 

or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at 

program.intake@usda.gov. 
Helping People Help the Land