Regional planners report 541 survey responses, plan focus groups as Dunn County updates comprehensive and farmland-preservation plans

Susan Badke of the Regional Planning Commission updated the Dunn County Planning Resource and Development Committee on April 16 about the county's comprehensive plan and integrated farmland preservation update, reporting initial survey results, planned focus groups and next steps.

Badke said the public input survey closed with 541 responses, of which 497 were from Dunn County residents. Among resident respondents, 74% indicated they live in towns, 5% in villages and 21% in the city of Menomonie; 90% said they intend to remain in Dunn County for the next 10 years. Top priorities named by respondents included supporting water-quality initiatives, preserving agricultural lands for future generations and investing in county road improvements. Respondents also identified concerns about affordable housing, sprawl, deteriorating rental housing, and the desire to maintain rural character and open space.

Badke described the project timeline and data-collection strategy: municipal government surveys have been mailed, a farmland-owner survey focused on owners of 30 or more contiguous acres will be mailed (about 1,300 mailings), and six topic-focused stakeholder groups will meet to review data and provide recommendations. The first focus group, Ag Working Lands, was targeted for mid-May (May 12–16 window) with a second agriculture meeting planned in June–July to review farmland-owner survey results and mapping such as LESA (Land Evaluation and Site Assessment) to identify farmland-preservation areas.

Badke said the focus groups will be intentionally small (roughly 10–12 participants) and composed of stakeholders with relevant knowledge (farmers by size/type, farm-service organizations, extension agronomists, a forestry representative, Farm Bureau and Farmers Union representatives, and other local interests). She said the Regional Planning Commission will work with county staff to invite participants and finalize logistics; committee members discussed using an online interest form already posted on the county website to help recruit stakeholders.

Multiple residents and agriculture stakeholders spoke during the public-comment portion and when the focus-group topic was discussed: Katie Richards of Dunn County Farm Bureau offered the Farm Bureau as a resource and emphasized agriculture's local economic importance; Anna Dahlka (city resident, UW–Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center) described how agriculture shaped her experience and raised housing-cost concerns for young residents; Ben Sand (Dunn County Farm Bureau president) offered to help represent farmers and noted his work spans small and large operations. Committee members encouraged a diverse mix of participants so the focus groups capture a range of farm sizes and perspectives.

Badke said the next committee meeting on this topic will likely be June 4, when she expects to return with municipal-survey results and additional data.