History

A group of citizens and farmers committed to the preservation of agriculture contributed their time and expertise to found the JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL LAND TRUST in June 1998. Later the name was changed to JEFFERSON COUNTY LAND TRUST to increase awareness of the organization’s goals and service. Run only by volunteers, the land trust is a private, nonpolitical, nonprofit organization not affiliated with county government.

The land trust began working with landowners to create individualized conservation easements for their property, preventing the land from residential development. 

In 2000, the land trust announced the beginning of its first countywide Purchase of Development Rights program, which provides farmers the opportunity to sell the development rights to their farms, and at the same time, protect their properties from development in perpetuity. The land trust started out with $20,000 from Jefferson County Board of Supervisors that were used to leverage additional funds from other sources.

Following a meeting, with an ad hoc advisory group on forming a land trust for Dodge County, we agreed to affiliate and to provide land trust services and benefits to Dodge County. In 2007, the land trust Board of Directors agreed to change the name to DRUMLIN AREA LAND TRUST. The mission of the land trust was modified to encompass both Dodge and Jefferson counties.

The land trust continues to plan educational events relaying the benefits of preserving farmland and natural areas.