Agriculture

Information about the relationship between agriculture and water quality, based on current science. WGF’s Cropland Management and Water Quality Team has developed several presentations, analyses, testimony, and comments to state government on this topic. Team members are volunteers with expertise in water quality, public health, and agricultural conservation.

Wisconsin Neonics Forum – Oct. 30, 2024

Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024, attendees in crowd

Written by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director, Edited by Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) co-sponsored the first-ever Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024.

Our attendees to the Wisconsin Neonics Forum included executive director Meleesa Johnson, work group members Mark Asplund and Bill Fisher, agricultural projects coordinator Ben …

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Meleesa Johnson Appointed to Sandhill Crane Study Committee

sandhill cranes standing in a wet meadow

Bringing a science-based approach to legislation on sandhill cranes:

Meleesa Johnson, Wisconsin’s Green Fire’s Executive Director, has been selected to serve on the Legislative Council Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes beginning in July 2024. This committee is one of five study committees for 2024. The scope of this study committee’s work begins: “The …

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Ron Grasshoff Re-Appointed to Land and Water Conservation Board

Ron Grasshoff, co-chair of WGF’s Public Trust and Wetlands Work Group, has been re-appointed to Wisconsin’s Land and Water Conservation Board (LWCB). Wisconsin’s Green Fire congratulates Ron on this important role!

On January 24th, Ron Grasshoff provided this summary and comments on his re-appointment to the LWCB.

Summary of LWCB From Section 92.04 of WI …

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Guest blog: Wisconsin agriculture stressed by climate change

The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Initiatives (WICCI) is a nationally recognized collaboration of scientists and stakeholders working together to help foster solutions to climate change in Wisconsin. WICCI formed as a partnership between UW–Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in 2007. Wisconsin’s Green Fire …

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WGF Members Author Sustainable Food Systems Paper

Agriculture uses more land and water than any other human activity, and our consumption demands continue to grow even as our resource base shrinks. A highly industrialized U.S. food system produces lots of food at seemingly low per unit cost. But our current system is taking a heavy toll on farmers and the environment, and …

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WGF and Partners Lead Climate Readiness Assessment

Throughout 2021, Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) has led the development of a first of its kind effort to conduct a rapid, comprehensive assessment bringing together climate readiness and conservation-based economic opportunities in a rural Western Wisconsin county.  While state and federal governments play an essential role in developing climate policy and leading climate …

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State Legislature Reviews Water Quality Task Force Bills

A package of 13 bills put forward by the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality is making its way through the state legislature. The legislative session ends March 25, 2020. The total package, costing $10 million is considered a down payment toward the actions needed to protect drinking water in Wisconsin. Provisions to increase funding for county conservation staff and to reduce nitrate pollution line up with recommendations made by Wisconsin’s Green Fire.

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Scope of NR 151 – State Rules for Agricultural Practices to Reduce Nitrate Pollution of Groundwater in Sensitive Areas

Wisconsin’s Green Fire’s commented on the scope of NR 151 rule changes to address agricultural practices affecting nitrate pollution of groundwater in sensitive areas, Nitrate in groundwater is a significant concern for public health in Wisconsin. WGF comments stress the importance of agricultural producers, conservationists, and leaders working together to meet the challenge. NR 151 revision is a key state policy to meet the challenge.

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