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Kewaunee County farmers urge ordinance change after land‑and‑water staff enter private property without notice
Summary
A representative of Extra Dairy Cooperative told the Kewaunee County Land and Water Conservation meeting that local farmers are alarmed by department staff entering private land without prior notice and urged the board to amend local ordinance language to require permission or reasonable notice.
Kim Bremer, executive director of Extra Dairy Cooperative, told the Kewaunee County Land and Water Conservation Committee on the meeting record that farmers are concerned about department staff entering private property without prior notice.
"Land and water conservation staff is being frequently seen on private property without permission," Bremer said. She cited what she described in the meeting as statutory and local ordinance references and said the county's chapter 30 language, as written, "presumes that the permission to enter lands was first being sought from the landowner." Bremer asked the board to clarify that "no entry is allowed without reasonable notice of permission if that's your intent."
Bremer told the committee she and Extra Dairy Cooperative are working with the Department of Natural Resources and individuals she named — Jason, Bridal Weil and Anne — on improving communication and on reviewing referral processes. She said the review will look at state referrals and patterns so farmers can better address issues raised on their operations. Bremer also relayed numeric figures she said were provided to the committee about inspections and referrals, and urged continued collaboration between county staff, the DNR and producers.
The comment drew no formal motion or vote at the meeting. Committee members heard the request and were not recorded as taking action to change chapter 30 during the session. Bremer said her organization would be available to work with county staff on any ordinance language or process changes.
Why it matters: Land‑and‑water inspection practices affect property owners' expectations of notice and privacy and can shape farmers' willingness to cooperate on conservation work. Bremer framed the requested amendment as a clarification to preserve existing collaboration and to avoid eroding trust between producers and the county.
