Land & Water Conservation - September 3, 2026 — Minutes

GREEN COUNTY LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING USDA Service Center 1627 4th Avenue West Monroe, Wisconsin Thursday, September 3, 2026 The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM. Those present were Kristi Leonard, Erica Roth, Todd Larson, Dudley Timm, Peg Sheaffer, Paula Vestin, Grace Martin, Tonya Gratz, Jason Thomas, and Todd Jenson. The committee reviewed the August minutes. A motion was made by Roth, second by Vestin to approve the minutes. Motion carried. The committee audited the bills in the amount of $61,419.53. A motion was made by Sheaffer, second by Larson to approve the bills. Motion carried. Martin gave an overview of projects that were done by their organization this year. A motion was made by Roth, second by Larson to approve the cooperative agreement between Green County and the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association for 2027. Motion carried. Jenson led a discussion on the Southern Area Association tour. The tour was OK, but did not quite meet the expectations that we as attendees were hoping for. Jenson informed there were 168 attendees at Clean Sweep, up two from last year. The cost increased $2500 over last year. He does not have final numbers yet of the amounts of various materials that were taken in. Jenson presented the 2027 budget. It is down 3.32%. A motion was made by Sheaffer, second by Timm to approve the budget and send it on to the Finance Committee. Motion carried. Gratz gave an educational demonstration on various common cover crops. Jenson informed the committee he has been working on CRP contracts, getting a new staff person, preparing for the land judging contest, working on a stream crossing and a culvert crossing, and has ordered lime for the county farm. Thomas informed the committee they are working on two grazing projects, is working on CRP contracts, and certifications on CSP projects. Gratz informed the committee there was a field day on converting cropland to grazing, and is working on the two producer led watershed’s DATCP grant applications. She has set a deadline of Sand County Foundation cover crop applications for this Friday. October 7 is the fall youth conservation day. In committee concerns Timm asked if the county farm rental agreement is done for the next three years. It is. Larson wanted to make sure the conservation easement program discussion is not dropped. Leonard asked if our department should be in the mix on the discussion of data centers. There was no public comment. The next meeting date was set for Thursday, October 8, beginning at 9:00 AM. A motion was made by Larson, second by Sheaffer to adjourn. The motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 AM.