The Bjugstad farm is located between Evansville and Janesville in Rock County. This June, Groundswell received a $492,900 grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to help fund an easement on the farm.
This 189-acre easement will permanently protect prime farmland while keeping the farm ownership in Brian and Renee Bjugstad’s family.
In 2020, Groundswell worked with Brian’s parents, Oscar and Norma Bjugstad, to protect their farm. Now, we have the chance to help Brian and his wife Renee protect their farm for future generations.
The Bjugstad easement will support Rock County agriculture and the local economy. It will also protect wildlife habitat and provide public access for outdoor activities like hunting, trapping, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Additional funds for this project come from the Bjugstad family, the USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program, American Farmland Trust, the Rock County Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) program, and the Rock River Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever.