Chapter 4 Walworth County Agricultural Resources and Uses Inventory and Trends Issues and Opportunities Goals and Objectives Introduction This chapter serves to present basic information about existing agricultural resources in Walworth County and to document the agricultural resource protection and management concerns and issues facing Walworth County. The goals and objectives contained in this chapter are the foundation for the development of the updated County Farmland Preservation Plan. The County Comprehensive Plan, the County Land and Water Resource Management Plan, the initial County Agricultural Preservation Plan and current County zoning ordinances have been developed in a way that strongly supports the preservation and conservation of Walworth County’s agricultural resources. Nearly two thirds of the area of Walworth County was devoted to agriculture in 2010, with much of that land consisting of Class I, Class II, and Class III soils. Map 3-9, published in Chapter 3 of this plan, shows the distribution of agricultural land in Walworth County by soil capability class. Agriculture is an important component of the County’s economic base. The County’s location in proximity to large metropolitan areas fosters the efficient distribution of its agricultural products. The growing demand for bio-fuels may be expected to increase the demand for the County’s agricultural products and spur agriculture-related industries. In addition to the provision of food and fiber products, agricultural lands provide wildlife habitat, contribute to the ecological balance between plants and animals, and contribute to the maintenance of the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of the County. Historically there has been strong support for the preservation of farmland in Walworth County. Although the population of Walworth County has grown by 25% in the past decade, over 60% of the County is still farmland. Farmland preservation remains a difficult and challenging issue, one that involves balancing land preservation objectives with the economic realities faced by farmers. Historically, efforts to ensure the preservation of farmland have relied on zoning and other land use controls. Use-value assessment and tax credit programs have provided some relief to farmers. The Purchase Agricultural Conservation Easement program (PACE) holds some potential to help ensure the preservation of farmland in selected areas. Although each year brings a change in farm size, livestock herd size and the use of more annual and cash crops, these adjustments require the Land Conservation Division Staff to develop new tools, methods and incentives to encourage farm operators to use best management practices aimed at protecting their soils, nearby waterways and other natural resources. The County Land Conservation Division Staff continue to seek out grant funding to carry-out cost-effective conservation programs. Economic Impact and Value of Walworth County Agriculture Farming is deeply rooted in Walworth County. For generations, farms and farmers have shaped the County’s landscape and economy. Over 75% of the farms in Walworth County are owned and operated by individuals and families. Agriculture is an integral part of Walworth County’s economy, landscape, natural resource base and the lives of County residents. While some communities have treated farms and farming as temporary land uses, Walworth County has valued agriculture as a long- term commitment. Preserving agricultural land and supporting farming continues to be a community priority in Walworth County. The multiple benefits provided by agriculture have been well documented in Walworth County and have been considered as the basis for this Farmland Preservation Plan update. Map 4-1 identifies the locations of Walworth County Agricultural Related Businesses. Economic Impact Agriculture remains a vital component of Walworth County’s economy. Farms, farming and farm-related businesses support the local economy. Farms are local businesses. Agriculture provides 3,780 jobs in Walworth County and farmers support many other businesses by purchasing equipment, products and services they need to grow, harvest, process, market and deliver food and feed to consumers and other markets. One thousand farms in Walworth County have production expenses that flow through the County’s economy, to support food processors and manufacturers, veterinarians, garden centers, equipment sales, repair shops, and a host of other products and services. The Census of Agriculture, (USDA and National Agricultural Statistics Service) reported that the total value of agricultural products sold in Walworth County in 2007 was $145.5 million, significantly higher than the $87.4 million reported in 2002. This represents the total market value before taxes and production expenses of all agricultural products sold from Walworth County farms. Of the 1000 farms reporting in the County, nearly half reported agricultural sales of $100,000 or more. Dairy products remain an important part of the total agricultural output in Walworth County, accounting for one third of the total agricultural product sales in the County. Farmlands require fewer community services. Farmlands, woodlands and wetlands generate more local tax revenue than they cost in public services. By comparison, residential development typically fails to make up for the demand for services and local costs associated with schools, roads, waste management and water use. Farms produce fresh local foods. Like other types of businesses, farmers continue to take advantage of changing consumer needs. In response to the demand for locally grown agricultural products, many Walworth County farmers have repositioned themselves to serve this new market. Farmers markets, road-side farm stands, and other outlets that sell local farm fresh products directly to consumers have been an evolving and growing trend in Walworth County. Over a dozen farmers markets are open for business in Walworth County. Direct-marketing from 87 farms in Walworth County generated $829,000 in sales in 2011. Agricultural is the foundation of the County’s rural character and scenic landscapes. Working farms help define Walworth County’s rural character, landscape and identity. The seasonal changes bring a palate of colors to the fields of growing crops and woodlots. In addition to making Walworth County a desirable place to live, the farms and rural landscape make the County a desirable place to visit. Scenic farms and rural landscapes bring tourists and their dollars to Walworth County. Well managed farms protect water quality and natural resources. Farms depend on adequate land, productive soils, good climatic conditions, and clean water. Farmers in Walworth County have been good stewards of the County’s resources for generations. Farms contribute to the protection of environment by providing wildlife habitat, buffering environmental corridors, recharging groundwater aquifers, filtering air, producing oxygen, absorbing and sequestering carbon. Over 500 farms are managed consistent with County-approved soil and water conservation standards. Walworth County Agriculturally Related Businesses T D R T R H A E A C W Y T P A E A T O F 8 T W E S S L L P UNG L E 3 R YO NG L F O OU O Y T 15 M T D S S E õ O L T G East Troy E H D S Y I R N W M O S O E A IN O L H AR R H ST K A UFF BL U R A O H B O Y BLUFF E A A T N O S P W LUFF C 1 N B O G D K 2 T R Y D T S AIN N D W M N R E U T I E I A O F E E L E I G O 5 IR C R A 1 TLE PR O S LIT BEACH E I CLAY O õ RIC E N E N õ K E P Y D E O 2 L H C I E L R L W O R õ N K L S 7 S D L R H N ORTH 6 D T A W U N A WAL P I O I B G E Y S T A I R P F W R P E H A N J F O R B T S E F B N TO N M AM K I I C D N T N T C R U Y S E S E O T K L O I 12 C E U HY D X K K N E A M T C H E G I A Y W R T IL A T O LIS RAY KIT C T N L R N 9 I A O S 64 D õ õ E A L Y 3 L R L A õ N ING N L E E E T K E R M G M 9 E S N L I H 5 G S N 4 N R A R C R I W N M õ K Y I E A K A E S K P K H S T E NCE P E A I E L N RE T R C B Y E S V R Whitewater A SAINT PETERS T R I S C U F R E C R O L N 7 B I A A R I õ L L R E L MILLIS R O ERSON 8 I D I AN M E O S Y õ E V T O I H E S 20 F A HY E A R Y B N I N S HY 20 O R O T R T T Y H T L H E N E V G E L O L T I Y L H E A S Y R E R H L 10 R A L W C L L I D ID R C Y K õ ISLAND Y 16 L E L A S I M A õ B LaGrange A N M L L O R S V E L ORAINE 72 TTLE M T KE E N 14õ I I R 17 N õ V 12 L H H E E õ13 õ O A õ R O L V E K S RY A K 63 A O N E O T L C A õ C I Whitewater T 6 O L H õ E A L T Y Y C C L N K Y R LER E N HONEY MIL T R õ CREEK T A 62 S P O P B U Troy T C K W C E K A L S A A R K O B O L O N A L R K E C I P T S T S P C E L E C H S L T B H C FRIEMOTH A E A A E H O Y T C J T K M S C East Troy G K T E 65 G R TT O S õ A D N N I N M B L N E U R O 11 COLBO I I N L T õ M O N A U C O T A H TI N C E NLIN E A TOW H H RW A SCOTCH BUSH NLINE A T N L 27 TOW P RW B S õ A K R W LO CTY TK D R K P C I KENOSHA O E BER N O TIM 26 L W G õ R N 71 H 32 S E õ E õ N P I Y S OB K R BARKERS 28 C E O E A õ 1 L H A C K L N 2 G K TERRITORIAL A K U K 0 A T N VALLEY VIEW U OWLEY D K R H H R Y C U S L O E T T O C C O E D T H A R L H A P 23 W O N M O H I õ T D P IC D H I I IEP N KN K Y TK ES I L CT O A E O R T Y L Y R N H A K S Spring Prairie A R E R LAKE LORRAIN O AYLOR 25 KEARNEY T R D A N õ RVE E G U E CE S PIER EVERGR PRE 31 E R S EN õ N TLE LAKE S I TUR J P A L A O TER V R WHITMORE POT S E H Y R U 18 19 P T E Lafayette S N õ õ C 33 E T N S õ E W N S O U POTTER C T I 20 O SCHMIDT O Sugar Creek S B N O õ O F V C O C C W B 29 O O õ W T B Richmond