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Green County Water Quality Coalition
Green County Water Quality Coalition
The purpose of the Green County Water Quality Coalition is to intentionally collaborate to increase understanding of Green County groundwater quality and take action for water stewardship so we have healthy waters for current and future generations.
The Green County Water Quality Coalition was formed after the development of the 2024-2028 Green County Water Action Plan and following increased cross-departmental collaboration related to water quality. The organizations represented in the coalition include the UW-Madison Division of Extension Green County, Green County Public Health, Green County Land and Water Conservation, Green County Land Use and Zoning, and the Green County Highway Department.
The coalition is built on the foundational pieces of research, education, and action.
For more information, see the Green County Water Quality Coalition 2023 and 2024 Annual Report.pdf
One Year Goals (2024)
Goal 1: More farmers in Green County understand and are able to quantify current nitrogen leaching.
Goal 2: Increased use and application of nitrogen management plans in Green County. This includes an increase in communications between farmers and nonfarmers.
Goal 3: Increased understanding of practices on the landscape to manage nitrate leaching.
Goal 4: Continued public conversations regarding groundwater quality in Green County. This includes an increase in communications between farmers and nonfarmers.
Goal 5: Increased private well testing to increase awareness, call for coordination to help aid the process.
Goal 6: Explore Farmland Preservation zoning programs.
Three Year Goals (2026)
Goal 7: The majority of Green County Farmers are considering the economics of nitrogen management and leachability when purchasing and applying fertilizers and manure.
Five Year Goals (2028)
Goal 8: All Green County farmers significantly decrease nitrogen leaching. In this context, “significantly” is considered at least 20% reduction of nitrogen leaching.
Goal 9: Nitrogen levels have stabilized at current levels. “Current levels” in this context means wells do not have increasing nitrate tends as of January 2024.
Goal 10: Cost share opportunities for variable rate N software.
Research, Education, and Action Initiatives
Research
Green County Public Health will be establishing a certified water testing lab to test well water for bacteria and nitrate.
The Groundwater Quality Trend Data Program will continue to gather and analyze data.
The Annual Drinking Water Testing Program will continue to be offered through grassroots efforts from the Green County Towns Association and Green County Land and Water Conservation.
Education
Coalition members will work together to continue to host educational events, including new events about landscaping
practices to manage nitrate leaching.
The coalition will participate in the Regional Water Quality Meeting to learn from peers.
Green County Public Health will increase community awareness of the Wisconsin Well Testing Access Program (WellTAP) which provides fee-exempt well water testing to eligible individuals.
Action
The coalition will continue to meet and collaborate on projects.
Green County Land and Water Conservation will work with one township to establish Farmland Preservation Zoning.
There will be an increase in the use and application of Nutrient Management Plans among farmers as a result of working with Green County Land and Water Conservation.
The Green County Highway Department will continue to use cheese brine on roads.
Who’s Involved?
UW-Madison Division of Extension
Jordyn Sattler, Regional Crops and Soils Educator | victoria.solomon@wisc.edu or 608-328-9440
Victoria Solomon, Community Development Educator | jordyn.sattler@wisc.edu or 608-328-9440
Landon Baumgartner, Nutrient & Pest Management Outreach Specialist | landon.baumgartner@wisc.edu
Green County Land and Water Conservation Department
Tonya Gratz, Conservation Technician | tonya.gratz@wi.nacdnet.net or 608-325-4195 ext. 119
Mason Jarosinski, Conservation Technician | mason.jarosinski@usda.gov or 608-325-4195 ext. 120
Todd Jenson, County Conservationist | todd.jenson@wi.nacdnet.net or 608-325-4195 ext. 119
Green County Land Use and Zoning Department
Adam Wiegel, Zoning Administrator | aweigel@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9423
Green County Public Health Department
Bridget Zimmerman, Public Health Educator | bzimmerman@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9390
Geoff Briggs, Environmental Health Specialist | grbiggs@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9390
Green County Highway Department
Chris Narveson, Highway Commissioner | cnarveson@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9411
Questions? Contact:
- Jordyn Sattler, Regional Crops and Soils Educator, at (608) 328-9440 or jordyn.sattler@wisc.edu.
