The Washington County Land Use & Planning Committee on a voice vote approved a resolution to accept a producer‑led grant from the Sand County Foundation and adopted a Cedar Creek soil health incentive program to begin in 2026.

Paul, a county staff presenter, told the committee that the grant opportunity was presented to local producer‑led groups and that Cedar Creek Farmers want to use the funds to pilot low‑disturbance manure injection and other conservation practices. "This is a bit of what we'd be adding into it from that previous grant," he said, summarizing that eligible practices would include no‑till, cover crops, low‑disturbance manure application, planting green and enhanced nutrient testing.

Why it matters: Committee members said the program targets both water‑quality goals and adoption barriers among farmers. Supervisors noted the program could help reduce phosphorus runoff into local waterways and incentivize farmers who face financial and operational barriers to changing practices.

Program design and funding: Paul outlined anticipated revenue sources and program caps. The packet shows a current $2,000 per‑farm cap for many incentives, but the newly received producer‑led grant—and a prospective county levy carryover match—would allow a higher per‑farm cap in some cases. "We have about $48,000 allocated for it," Paul said, and staff estimated that, where used, a low‑disturbance injection practice might be valued around $85 an acre (the presenter used a 125‑acre example). Paul also noted an approximate $4,000 potential cost for organizational reorganization if the Cedar Creek Farmers pursue nonprofit status.

Eligibility and priorities: Staff said the program application is countywide within the watersheds named in the DATCP grant application, with some geographic prioritization for areas that historically have received less funding. "We kind of applied for the watersheds that minus the part of the county that drains towards the city of Oconomowoc," Paul said, and added that scoring criteria were adapted from neighboring producer‑led groups and reviewed with the Cedar Creek Farmers board.

Costs and adoption barriers: Committee discussion stressed that some practices, especially low‑disturbance injection, require expensive equipment and that adoption may depend on custom applicators or prorated incentives. One farmer presenter noted used equipment prices near $75,000 and new machines approaching $200,000, while staff said the grant funder set a $10,000 maximum per farm for certain awards if those extra funds become available.

Formal actions: The chair called a voice vote to approve the Sand County Foundation Wisconsin producer‑led fund resolution; the motion passed. Later, Supervisor Krebs moved and Supervisor Mary seconded the adoption of the 2026 Cedar Creek soil health incentive program; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff emphasized the county will act as fiscal agent and that a separate county board carryover approval is still needed to provide the levy match.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with final program criteria and rankings and coordinate any required county board actions to secure the levy carryover match that completes the program funding package.