Wisconsin Agricultural Stewardship Initiative, 
Green Tier and 
Environmental Management Systems 

This outline shows how Wisconsin Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (WASI) and Green Tier complement each other to offer value to agricultural producers and serve public policy.  

    WASI tests and transfers scientifically sound technologies and techniques so agricultural producers can protect the state’s diverse landscape and natural resources.

   The Green Tier statute allows the application of WASI-recommended practices through chartered farm organizations, performance contracts and/or audited management systems that are recognized by regulators, consumers, financial sector and public. 

Alone, Green Tier and WASI can produce good value for production agriculture. However, by combining their products and tools to meet community, commodity and consumer needs, WASI and Green Tier can deliver superior business and environmental value.  Business value is achieved by controlling costs, enhancing revenue, increasing margins and reducing risks over time.  Environmental value is delivered by minimizing agriculture’s negative footprint on the ecosystem and maximizing its potential to maintain, enhance or restore that system to deliver public benefits. 

Producing certifiable commodities: Commodities are eligible for a Green Tier logo for labeling and promotion. A Green Tier web site lists participants, documents their superior performance and links to other sites.  Chartered producer, commodity groups, processor and distributor entities can establish a branding strategy, provide environmental services or quality assurance to meet government or other criteria.  Chartered organizations use management systems and auditors to verify performance.    

Protecting nature: Green Tier requires DNR to help agricultural organizations achieve environmental performance.  WASI recommendations apply to sites, commodities and processes.  Farms and farm groups could be contracted with to provide public benefits by protecting aquifers, scenic views, unique landscapes or reduced flooding.  Contracts allow farmer flexibility to achieve a public good while maintaining operations.  Public funds could provide payments for “protecting nature” under a 2002 farm bill focused on “working lands” in natural resource management as advocated by Governors. Funds could come from the community, land trusts or hospitality industry that value farm and ranch land for public values.  The WASI and UW-sponsored Green Tier evaluation systems provide neutral ground to discuss practices and performance, promoting civil environmentalism and understanding of production agriculture.     

Linking farm and community: Green Tier allows farmers create chartered agricultural production areas such as the dairy districts in Minnesota.  Chartering allows farmer and non-farmer to discuss the mutual interest in protecting the environment, supporting commerce and keeping rural communities vibrant. Community-supported agriculture and renewable energy contracts also are possible in the area.  Charters can require WASI-practices, thus instilling public confidence in the farmer and farmer peace of mind he has presumptive due diligence protection.  Chartered Agricultural Landscape Systems (CALS) may provide certainty required for capital investments if is possible to calculate the commodity volume certainty needed to justify investments in the processing infrastructure. 

Generating renewable energy and climate protection: Green Tier provides tools to help producers and processors organize the sale of biomass for energy.  WASI calculates mineral management requirements with given environmental standards.  Chartered entities then broker excess material for “green energy” and producer income. Chartered brokers also may negotiate carbon sequestration contracts that may be verified by Green Tier auditors in a cost-effective fashion.  Green Tier agricultural-energy contracts with processors will address waste disposal needs as a part of long term confidence-building needed to attract capital, avoid land use conflicts and maintain compliance with environmental standards while controlling costs.   

More Information - Details about the Green Tier proposal, its legislative progress and the Committee's work can be found on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cea/green_tier/index.htm

Questions may be directed to Mark McDermid, 608-267-3125.

Draft 3.5
Green Tier and WASI background 05-12-01.doc