La Crosse County has launched a public survey on the future of farmland in the county.
The survey is part of the county’s Envision 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Input from the questionnaire will help guide the farmland preservation section of the document. To participate, please go to publicinput.com/envision2050. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
“It doesn’t matter where you live in La Crosse County, your input on the future of our farmland matters,” says La Crosse County planner Charlie Handy. “Agriculture brings food to our table, protects the landscape that brings tourists to our county, and has a critical role to play in creating a sustainable future for all of us.”
Over 40 percent of La Crosse County is covered by agriculture and other open land. But without policies to protect it, farmland is likely to face growing threats from expanding urban areas. Small family farms have also been facing pressure from market forces, which has led to a reduction in the overall number of farms in the county, according to a release from the county.
Handy notes agriculture remains a vital part of the local economy, with an estimated annual economic impact of $435 million, and room to grow.
