Many people worry that the sun is setting on Wisconsin farmland, such as this spot near Avalon, which has some of the richest soil in the world.
Photo By: Matthew Wisniewski
Wisconsin loses about 30,000 acres of farmland to development each year. That means prime land such as this cornfield near Clinton is becoming rarer.
Credit: Matthew Wisniewski
A combine rolls through a cornfield near Clinton last fall. Agriculture accounts for about 12 percent of Wisconsin jobs.
Credit: Matthew Wisniewski
Round bales occupy a field near Clinton. Agriculture generates $1.2 billion a year for Rock County and $51.5 billion for Wisconsin.
Photo By: Matthew Wisniewski
The building at 440 E. Highway 14 in Janesville is home to the Land Conservation department
Photo By: Kyle Bursaw
A display at the Rock County Land Conservation Department shows the different soils of Rock County.
Photo By: Kyle Bursaw
Kirk Leach used to own about 300 acres of farmland along Wuthering Hills Drive in Janesville. Some of that land is now occupied by the Youth Sports Complex, where Leach is pictured near a few barns that still stand on the land. Leach has relocated his operation to the southeast, but he is concerned that as the city continues to grow, it will encroach on his farm once again.
Photo By: Kyle Bursaw
Bob Arndt performs routine maintenance on the Arndt Farms combine on a wet October morning.
Photo By: Kyle Bursaw
Bob Arndt gasses up his combine at the family farm in La Prairie Township. The Arndts own more than 2,000 acres and rent nearly 900 more. Members of the family serve on the town board, helping craft zoning and other regulations to help preserve the prime farmland in the township.
Photo By: Kyle Bursaw
Bill and Marion Barlass, center, farm nearly 600 acres along County A just east of Janesville with the help of their children Kristin Paul and Brian. The family has seen the city steadily creep toward their door and wonder how long it will be before their livelihood is directly threatened.
Photo By: Bill Olmsted
Harold Hanauska and his son, Paul, don’t know how long they can hold on to their farm on East Bingham Road in Harmony Township. Harold’s grandfather bought the first 80 acres of the farm in 1913.
