Milwaukee County Board Of Supervisors Voted To Review County Land Leases For possible Agricultural Hemp Production By Private Leasers

At least 881 acres and any other Milwaukee County land available could potentially be used by private leasers to accommodate agriculture Hemp production, according to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

April 29, 2019

Milwaukee, WI - On Sunday. Milwaukee County Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez confirmed that the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors approved a feasible study to see, if 881 acres and any other Milwaukee County land can be used by private leasers to produce agricultural Hemp on the land. Supervisor Ortiz-Velez stated, "On Thursday, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a study by the department of parks to evaluate its current policies for the use of its 881 acres of agricultural land. The report shall include whether or not Hemp growth and production would be feasible for these lands and shall also identify any other Milwaukee County land that may be able to accommodate these agricultural purposes and hemp production. The lease rates for agricultural land that Milwaukee County owns has not been reviewed in some time. Any land where it is feasible for Hemp growth and production Milwaukee County could potentially gain an increase in lease revenues."

Milwaukee County Board records show that an amendment was introduced during the full Board meeting to launch a feasible study to see, if agricultural Hemp production is possible at the following leased lands to private leasers. The Director, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Culture, requested retroactive authorization to execute Agricultural Lease Agreements with: Ronald and Lois Fratrick, in the amount of $100 per year for 8.8 acres of land; Jeff Gassenhuber in the amount of $2,792 for 38 acres of land; Robert Grove in the amount of $3,576 for 47.6 acres of land; M A Mainus Farm, LLC, doing business as Joseph Mainus, in the amount of $9,690 for 116.4 acres of land; John Napientek in the amount of $13,990 for 171.1 acres of land; and James Roszina in the amount of $4,083 for 50.3 acres of land for the period effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021; and with Robert Petzold in the amount of $2,740 for 33.9 acres of land; and Vincent Schmit in the amount of $1,530 for 17 acres of land for the period effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, with two one-year renewal options.