Jefferson County leader meets with the governor

Thursday, March 22, 2007 2:00 PM CDT

JEFFERSON - Jefferson County Board Chairwoman Sharon Schmeling met with Gov. Jim Doyle and Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen at the governor's mansion Wednesday during an evening reception celebrating Wisconsin agriculture.

Doyle said he believes Wisconsin is on the cusp of a “second great renaissance in agriculture,” citing the evolving ethanol industry as just one example of cutting-edge changes in Wisconsin's agricultural economy.

Doyle saluted the efforts of Wisconsin's Working Lands Initiative, which made recommendations on agriculture policy that Doyle incorporated in his proposed 2007-2009 budget to the Legislature. Schmeling served on the bi-partisan committee at the invitation of Nilsestuen.

In his private remarks to Schmeling during Wednesday's event, Nilsestuen applauded the Jefferson County Board's recent action to create a farmland preservation commission to oversee a new purchase of development rights program.

The Jefferson County Board voted 21-6 March 13 to create the commission, which is charged with developing a voluntary program to preserve farmland and support viable farm operations, protect Jefferson County's natural and water resources and maintain its agricultural economy. The plan is to fulfill the goals set forth by the county board's 1999 Agricultural Preservation and Land Use Plan.

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During the event at the mansion, Schmeling spoke briefly with Doyle about Renew Energy's new ethanol plant in the town of Aztalan and the need to maximize the use of rail lines to keep truck traffic to a minimum on state Highway 26. Doyle offered support from his staff as Jefferson County works with Renew Energy to secure adequate rail service.

Schmeling also spoke with Commerce Secretary Mary Burke who agreed that rail service is critical to many emerging agriculture related industries, such as ethanol plants. She noted that rail service is regulated by federal laws, which creates frustration for local and state lawmakers who would like to see improved service in many areas but have limited jurisdiction.

Other Jefferson County agricultural leaders also attended the event included Dan Poulsen of Palmyra, Tom Lyons and David Ward, both of Fort Atkinson, and Jeff Pieterick of Waterloo.

This was Schmeling's fourth visit to the executive mansion, having attended meetings there with Gov. Tommy Thompson, with Gov. Scott McCallum and with Doyle during his first term in office.