LASA awarded DATCP grant

Conservation grant will help LASA in watershed work

Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance has received a state grant to continue the farmer-led watershed conservation group’s mission of protecting and improving soil and water quality in southwestern Wisconsin.

The grant, for $20,000, is part of the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection’s Producer-Led Watershed Protection program, which gives financial support to farmers willing to lead conservation efforts in their own watersheds. The emphasis is on innovation and practices not already covered by other state and federal programs, and the intent is that participating farmers will reach out to other farmers to help them adopt conservation practices by offering incentives and through education and outreach activities.

In all, 27 groups received funding.

“DATCP support has been critical for our organization,” said Jim Winn, president of LASA and a dairy farmer in South Wayne. “With the agency’s help, we have been able to reach more farmers and encourage conservation practices in our area as well as document the practices being implemented by our members and the positive impact this is having on soil health and water quality. We are excited to continue our progress in the next year through collaboration with DATCP and others.”

Click here for more about the latest round of grants.