Civil and Municipal - Jan 2024

watershed, helping to strengthen land sustainability and recreation. The Climate Change Task Force comprises a group of staff and residents investigating how to respond to recent flooding incidents and the increase in rain intensity. In all Monroe County covers more than 580,000 acres with a population of around 46,000. About half of the county is covered with forests. The presence of artesian wells and the many outdoor wonders helps to bring in regional and national visitors, says Monroe County Board Chair Cedric Schnitzler, who has spent his entire life in the area. Many families of German, Norwegian, and other diverse backgrounds populate its communities. “There’s always something for (our residents) to do,” Schnitzler says. EVOLVING INDUSTRIES IN AGRICULTURE AND ELSEWHERE The county has traditionally been known for agriculture, particularly in the dairy sector. Much of the dairy business has disappeared over the years because of technology and consolidation, with some of the former dairy structures and barns being transitioned to event venues, recording studio and Distilleries to name a few. However, an increase in poultry manufacturing has helped to fill the void. Agriculture as a whole remains critical to the community, as many farms excel in providing organic produce. The conversion from dairy production has meant an increase in row crops, orchards, and beef farming as well as poultry, says the county’s Land Conservation Director Bob Micheel. One of the country’s leading agricultural producers is Organic Valley, a cooperative of farmers producing award-winning organic milk, cheese, butter, produce, and other items. It supports small, organic, and often family-owned farms that not only produce high- quality products but have a positive impact on people, animals, and the general environment. Fort McCoy is a training center, mobilization force, and strategic support area used for training members of the military. It is known as the Total Force Training Center because Fort McCoy supports active military 234 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 01