Jefferson County Announces Funds Available for Soil Health and Water Quality Practices

The Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) has announced availability of funding to landowners and farmers for a variety of conservation projects. The projects must prevent erosion, enhance soil health or protect the water quality of our lakes and streams. LWCD staff are available to assist interested citizens who have erosion or water quality concerns on their property.

How the Funding Works

Patricia Cicero, Jefferson County LWCD Director, explained that the LWCD “receives funding from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture for a variety of conservation practices including closure of unused wells, barnyard runoff control systems, grassed waterways, closure of unused manure storage, nutrient management plans, and shoreline erosion control. Many other projects can also be cost-shared. The payment rates vary depending on the practice with most practices cost-shared at 70%, some at 50% and some are a flat rate.” All programs require a contract with the LWCD prior to implementation.

Cicero further stated, “The LWCD also can fund pasture establishment, cover crops, drone seeding of cover crops, harvestable buffers/filter strips, and field borders. These practices provide cover to the land and ultimately do a great job at reducing phosphorus delivery to our waterways. Funding comes from multiple sources including the Jefferson County Soil Builders and the Nature Conservancy.”

Rates are as follows:

• Pasture Establishment: $220 per acre of crop ground converted to pasture, 40 acre maximum which can be split over multiple years.

• Multi-Species Cover Crops: $60 per acre, maximum of 80 acres.

• Single Species Cover Crops: $30 per acre, maximum of 150 acres.

• Drone Seeding of Cover Crops: $25 per acre.

• Cover Crop Mentor: Free advice (such as species selection and termination options) from a farmer experienced with cover crops.

• Harvestable Buffer/Filter Strip: $225 per acre, required to be maintained for 5 years, minimum 30 feet and maximum 150 feet (size to be determined with LWCD staff).

• Harvestable Field Borders: $225 per acre, minimum of 15 feet.

“The LWCD also applies for funding on behalf of landowners from the Department of Natural Resources’ Healthy Lakes and Rivers program. The practices available are projects that improve habitat and water quality on properties that are within 1,000 feet of lakes and 300 feet of rivers/streams. They include native plant gardens adjacent to water, rain gardens, diversions to direct water runoff from being discharged to waterways, rock trenches to infiltrate water from impervious surfaces, and upland trees placed in lakes to provide fish and wildlife habitat. Cost-sharing for these projects is 75% of the total cost up to a maximum of $1,000,” according to the Jefferson County LWCD.

For more information on implementing conservation practices or obtaining assistance regarding erosion or water quality concerns, please contact the Land and Water Conservation Department, at 920-674-7110.

Editor Notes

Patricia Cicero, Director at Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD), holds a Master of Science degree in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Kenyon College. She has worked for the Jefferson County LWCD for 26 years.

As stated in the Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department Annual Report 2024, “The purpose of the Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) is to provide for the conservation of soil and water resources of Jefferson County. The LWCD is charged with administering state statutes and county ordinances that conserve and protect our natural resources.”

Native plant shoreland garden on Rock Lake, funded by the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program

Rye “single species” cover crop

Corn growing beside a Harvestable Buffer

Patricia Cicero, Director at Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD)

Photos: 1) Native plant shoreland garden on Rock Lake, funded by the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program.  The LWCD has cost-shared several native shoreland gardens and rain garden throughout the years. 2) Buffer vs Row crop growth: Corn growing beside a Harvestable Buffer – an example of a program administered with the City of Watertown, assisted by the LCWD. 3) Rye “single species” cover crop. 4) Patricia Cicero, Director at Jefferson County LWCD.