FRPP Opens Doors for Beginning Farmers

The NRCS Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program (FRPP) recently hit a grand slam with a successful partnership to preserve a 327-acre parcel of land in Wisconsin — saving a rare remnant tall-grass prairie, helping a beginning farmer get started, and preserving farmland for agricultural use in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin.

The Driftless Area Land Conservancy purchased the development rights for the Kenneth Powell family farm in rural Barneveld, at a generously reduced price, with funding from FRPP and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program.  The conservation easements will preserve this special farm with its exceptional 18 acre prairie remnant for future generations.  The Powell lands are also immediately adjacent to The Nature Conservancy's Barneveld Prairie Preserve and is part of the Military Ridge Prairie Heritage Area. This is a great example of a place where farm and prairie work together, preserving important pieces of our natural and agricultural legacies through the FRPP.

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The conservation easements allow the Powells to retire with the development value of the land while also allowing them to rent or sell the farm.  So last February, Ken turned over his dairy herd to a young farm family who will rent the entire operation with an option to purchase.  The price of farmland under development pressure is way out of reach for most beginning farmers.

Powell's dry prairie is biologically diverse with more than 100 native plant species, including the federally-threatened prairie bush clover (Lespedeza leptostachya).  In addition to the State-endangered regal fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia), three State special-concern species, and a State threatened species are also found on the farm.
Your contact is Renae Anderson, NRCS public affairs specialist, at at 608-662-4422 x 227.