Article submitted by Todd Wahler, Waushara County Land Conservation and Zoning

Since 2008 the State of Wisconsin Administrative Rule NR 151.07 – State wide Agricultural Performance Standards has required all crop producers that apply commercial fertilizer or animal waste to agricultural fields have an approved Nutrient Management Plan that meets Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Standard 590. This rule applies to all crop producers not just those with livestock. Nutrient Management Plans are designed to reduce the discharge of nutrients to waters of the state for the purpose of complying with state agricultural performance standards including ground water. Recently Waushara County has adopted the same State Wisconsin Administrative Rules/Performance Standards within Article IV- Waushara County Manure Waste Storage Ordinance.

Waushara County will begin implementing these rules in 2021. The department is currently seeking landowners interested in developing a nutrient management plan this year. Our department will determine eligibility and notify landowners of their selection. All landowners without an approved NRCS Standard 590-Nutrient Management Plan are required to provide one to our office.

Nutrient Management Plans can be completed in several ways. Private agronomist or agricultural cooperatives can complete nutrient management planning for a fee. Landowners can also enroll in self certification classes held yearly by the Waushara County Land Conservation Department.

Photo credit: Wisc.edu

Both Wisconsin Administrative Rule NR 151.09 and ATCP 50.08 require the state/county to provide a bona fide offer of cost share for those farms with existing cropland. Currently the state cost share rate for a Nutrient Management Plan is $10/acre for a four year period equal to $40/acre.

The Waushara County Land Conservation Department currently has cost share funds available for landowners wishing to bring cropland into compliance with state administrative rules and county ordinance. As a reminder, declining cost share funding does not exempt a landowner from meeting these state and county standards.

Please contact our office to discuss the agricultural performance standards and availability of cost share funding. CLICK HERE for the Waushara County web page.