A county farmland preservation plan establishes trends and resources related to agriculture, lists policies and goals related to farmland protection and identifies lands that will remain in agricultural use for the foreseeable future. Counties with agricultural lands can use a farmland preservation plan to guide conservation of such lands for active use as farms throughout the county.
The planning process is an opportunity for different levels of local government to cooperate and build relationships. A county is encouraged to include local towns, cities and village’s land use plans and engage with local stakeholders to draft the plan. When a county plans for farmland preservation, they are acknowledging that agricultural lands are integral to the future of the county.
A Farmland Preservation Plan (FPP):
- Establishes a local vision for agricultural preservation at the county level.
- Is a nonbinding guidance document which can help counties and towns establish policies to protect farmland for the future.
- Makes counties and towns eligible to participate in other parts of the Farmland Preservation Program such as Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEAs) and Farmland Preservation Zoning.
- Does not impose land use restrictions by itself.
- Does not create farmland preservation tax credit eligibility by itself. New participants can establish tax credit eligibility through enrollment in farmland preservation zoning, farmland preservation agreements in AEAs or both.
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We are updating this plan in 2026: Lincoln County Farmland Preservation Plan 2016.
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2026 Planning Timeline
Winter 2025-2026 — Lincoln County Land Service Committee appoints members to the FPP Advisory Committee.
Winter/Spring 2026 — Staff analysis, plans reviewed, & demographic data analysis.
Winter/Spring 2026 — FPP Advisory Committee meetings.
Spring/Summer 2026 — Draft Plan ready for review.
Spring/Summer 2026 — Plan ready for approval by Lincoln County Land Services Committee.
Summer 2026 — Plan ready for adoption by County Board.
Draft Plan
______plan not available yet_________ (__ MB PDF)
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Make questions or comments about the planning here.
(Email link to submit comments on this plan.)