SuperDave it is not that we beleived you it is like you had said it is plausible. I would not put it past Obama to try that tactic. Look how he tried to secretly negotiate with the Russians. Let us hope that he does not embarrass the U.S. by saying something foolish. Then again look at his domestic policies. Ouch!

My last post was just an April Fool's joke. Most of you either you figured that out, or we're all so crisis-fatigued that it sounded plausible. Ha!

Mark is right the old farmland does generate more money as new development. The era of the small farm has come and gone. It is the mega farms that generate the money. Although it is sad to see the little farm go, it is the way of the machine. Get with the times or get left behind!

The article states: "Wisconsin has been losing farms to suburban sprawl for decades."

Every square foot of that land that has been developed is now taxed at 10 or 20 TIMES the tax rate for farmland.
Urban sprawl is what puts lots more tax money in the local and state coffers, and all government agencies want MORE tax money.

Liberals! Doyle is not looking out for anybody but himself. The sooner you realize this the better off you will be. Why do you think he is trying to grab this land? So he can dictate who does what with this land! Do not be fooled by this smoke and mirrors attempt to look good in farmers eyes and by the way I myself do alot to try and change the government how about you. Liberals!

Doyle is looking out for future generations - it's about time. WI loses over 30K acres of land to development every year. Once all the fertile lands have houses, where do you propose we grow food, our NEXT planet? Better to have Doyle step in now, than to allow greed to dictate. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. If you don't like the way government is run, then get involved and do something about it.

What do you expect from a socialist? I really think that he hates the country and he wants to divide and conquer so to speak. He is well on his way to knocking out what is left of the country and people are more than willing to bow to his every whim! But then again the people who give him the power are the same who need their head examined. Der commissar Doyle is just as bad!

Meanwhile, Obama is over in jolly old England. He has an audience with the queen scheduled, during which they will actually initiate talks to dissolve US sovereignty and return at least the thirteen original colonies to England. This guy is just unbelievable!! After that he will fly to Munich to fire the CEO of BMW!! He doesn't seem to "get" that he is no figurehead there, and he has NO authority in Germany. Where will this all end?!? Ridiculous.

BalancePoint: The question is not "is this the time to look at our development patterns - and take a stand to protect our most fertile working lands"? The question is "is this the time for yet another government program"?
And your next post illustrates the reason I find such schemes suspect. Government seems to do things for the stated reasons, but later we find out that the intent is narrow and selfish.
Shovel ready indeed.

Who is doyle looking out for? I think it would be his own pockets! He with out a doubt will allow some sort of development on the land in a few years and he will profit from it, not the state and the farmers will get the shaft again.

Sounds like some form of doyle socialism

Oh geez, and then I see the Steeber ad right above this story - "available" - I have sent him many emails, and NEVER get a response. Really, available? Steeber is the one who ram-rodded the comp plan through council, with no real knowledge of how the plan will affect the real farmers out there. Oh wait. There were 3 land barrons that wanted them to approve the plan as is, so they could profit from building single family homes on fertile soils. What a visionary. Same thing on the ice arena. Tons of questions on the contract, but instead of delaying for clarification, he shoves it through, at the expense of the Jvl taxpayer. Saw a website that said "City Council, Shovel Ready on April 7th." AMEN!

SuperDave, now, when there is no development pressure, is the time to look at our development patterns - and take a stand to protect our most fertile working lands. There are questions about the program, but no question that we should NOT be building houses on the Rock Prairie. It is shortsighted.

This is not about "saving farms". It is a way for the State Government to take away local control of zoning ordinances. It's another Doyle power grab.

Does this easement prevent wind turbines being sited on this land???

Another gubmint progam! Gee, what a wonderful idea. Not. I would be all for this if it was funded by private money. I've seen this done before by private interests, so it is possible.
On the surface (no pun intended) this sounds like a great idea. But who determines what land is selected, which farmers get the gift of tax money? Do the corporate farms get to partake in the $12 million also, or just the small, family farms? This type of program tends to politicize itself - political donors get priority, insiders are selected over outsiders.
Moreover - in todays economic climate, is "sprawl" really an issue today? And does the state have an extra $12 million?

sannio, a conservation easement is effectively a permanent deed restriction. Essentially the state would be paying the farmer the premium representing the value of the land to a developer above its value as farmland.
http://www.nature.org/aboutus/howwework/...
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This would certainly add to the efforts of private trusts and sustainability groups.

We'll give you money now, and you can continue farming our land. Sounds like selling your soul to the devil. Responsible growth is an oxymoron.