County staff roll out survey to update five‑year agriculture and environmental plan

County conservation staff presented a draft stakeholder survey intended to support an updated five‑year strategic plan required by the state's Ag Environmental Management program.

The presenter asked committee members to complete a test copy immediately and said the survey will be used at public meetings through November, including the county fair, to gather input from landowners about soil, water and farm management concerns. The presenter described the program's services as technical assistance, planning and potential funding for on‑farm implementation.

During questions, staff clarified the agency's role: it can accept requests for assistance and make on‑site visits for an owner’s property, but “we are not regulatory, and we're not gonna go out and try and resolve neighbor disputes,” the presenter said, adding that staff cannot compel site visits on a third party's property. Committee members discussed wording in the draft survey that might be read as inviting respondents to judge their neighbors and suggested revisions.

Staff also described the agency's request‑for‑assistance form (hosted on the county website) and noted common field topics such as ponding, stream‑bank erosion and forestry issues. The presenter said survey feedback will help staff decide education and outreach priorities, including whether to focus on forest landowner programs such as carbon sequestration.