Posted: 09.13.2011

Three Wisconsin farmers are being recognized by Wisconsin Ag Secretary, Ben Brancel, for their exemplary soil and water conservation efforts on their farms after receiving top rankings in the federal Conservation Stewardship Program.

“Wisconsin farmers are the stewards of more than 15 million acres of land. Everyone within the state benefits from their conservation work through clean air, healthy soil and clean water,” said Secretary Ben Brancel, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

The three farmers were chosen because they were this year’s highest ranked enrollees for the Conservation Stewardship Program or CSP. This program, through the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) rewards farmers for the conservation that they are already doing as well as new conservation activities they implement under the program. The three awardees are:

Jody Ausen, Trempealeau County hay and grain farmer. After running the family farm for a few years, Ausen realized that agriculture was in his blood and returned to the farm full time. He recognizes that being a good steward may take more time and effort, but in the end it is the best business decision. By protecting his soil, he’s protecting the future of his business.

James Pingel, Chippewa County grain farmer. Pingel contends he is simply continuing the conservation his father started, such as the strip cropping his father put in in the 1950s. With the Conservation Stewardship Program he is implementing new conservation practices such as taking small, hard-to-get-to areas on his farm and creating wildlife areas by planting a wildlife mix with barley and oats.

Jerry Wahleitner, Langlade County seed farmer for grains, small grains and hay. Wahleitner is a fifth generation farmer, and his goal is to pass the land and this wonderful way of life to the next generation. He was surprised to be receiving this honor, stating that he is simply doing what all farmers should be doing to protect their land.

Pat Leavenworth, State Conservationist for the USDA NRCS in Wisconsin, notes that these three farmers join 1,500 others participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program. More than 500 farmers enrolled in 2011. The program is available to all producers regardless of size, location, or type of operation, including crop, pasture land or forestland.

Overall, over 524,284 acres plus 86,330 acres of woodland (non-industrial private forestland) are enrolled in Wisconsin. Farmers receive an average of $20 per acre for cropland, $18 per acre for pasture, and $4.58 per acre for woodland for each year of a five year contract.

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