Now News Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants Awarded Central Wisconsin Farmers Cooperative proudly lands second grant from DATCP The latest round of Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants has been awarded to 36 farmer groups by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Farmers will use the funds to work with conservation organizations to address soil and water issues specific to their local watersheds. Seven of the groups are first-time recipients. Six Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA)member farms in Central Wisconsin joined together, in 2021, to protect the watershed that includes the Little Plover River and a portion of the Wisconsin River. With leadership from Plover River Farms, the Central Wisconsin Farmers Cooperative includes Feltz Family Farms, Firkus Farms, Myron Soik & Sons, Okray Family Farms and Worzella & Sons. With matching funds from the WPVGA and working closely with the University of Wisconsin (UW) Extension and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, the group was successful in securing a second grant, this time for $33,600, from DATCP for more conservation work in 2022. One new farm was also recruited to join the effort: Hamerski Farms of Plover. This partnership envisions a healthy and productive working landscape in Wisconsin’s Central Sands region. INNOVATIVE STEWARDSHIP Through on-farm conservation and collaborative partnerships, the Central Wisconsin Farmers Cooperative seeks to promote innovative stewardship practices that benefit the watershed, landscape 38 BC�T March
and land managers themselves. Conservation practices employed by the group include the extensive use of cover crops, prairie and pollinator plantings, and no-till/minimum till practices.
Above: Highlighted in blue are areas where farmers are working with conservation organizations via Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Together, the 36 groups will receive the full $1 million included in the state budget. Grants range from $3,250 to $40,000 for conservation practice incentives, education and outreach, on-farm demonstrations, and water quality testing and monitoring efforts.
“The grant program has kept our group together and motivated to do more,” says Brian Malszewski, member of the Buffalo-Trempealeau Farmer Network. “It not only has opened doors to more communication on cover crop practices amongst the group, but with other groups throughout the state.”
Farmers continue to find value in the program and by collaborating with other growers on conservation solutions.
“It has personally held me accountable, and because of this program, our team of farmers has gone above and beyond,” Malszewski
