Lack of access to farmland is an ongoing challenge for many beginning farmers and farmers of color in Wisconsin. One factor contributing to this challenge is the steady loss of productive farmland to other uses; 11 million acres of US farmland and ranchland were converted to urban or residential land use between 2001-2016. Policies to mitigate this include significant public investment in farmland preservation policies, yet it is unclear whether they are effective at improving farmland access for farmers.

This research project will evaluate producers’ knowledge of and suggestions for farmland preservation policies. It will also inform Extension materials to better connect Wisconsin producers with resources about farmland preservation resources.

Principal Investigator

Andrew W. Stevens, Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Co-Principal Investigators

Trisha Wagner, Extension Farm Management Program Manager

Sarah Johnston, Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics