[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE LOWER FOX DEMONSTRATION FARMS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. MIKE GALLAGHER

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2023

  Mr. GALLAGHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tenth 
anniversary of the Lower Fox Demonstration Farms (Fox Demo Farms) 
Network and to celebrate its success in expanding the adoption and 
implementation of conservation farming practices throughout the Lower 
Fox River Basin.
  Fox Demo Farms was the first of its kind in the Great Lakes region. 
It was created through a collaborative agreement with the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service 
(NRCS), Brown County, and four producers in the Lower Fox River 
Watershed of Northeast Wisconsin and funded by the Great Lakes 
Restoration Initiative. Fox Demo Farms set out to demonstrate the 
effectiveness and adaptability of conservation practices to reduce 
erosion and sedimentation. control phosphorus runoff. and address other 
nonpoint source pollution issues.
  To appreciate the significance of the Fox Demo Farms' success, it is 
helpful to understand the challenges of the region. Surrounded by a 
rural landscape of forests and farms, the Lower Fox River basin, like 
many in the Great Lakes region, encompasses varied weather, geology, 
topography, and soil types that pose challenges in preventing eroded 
sediment and nutrients from entering the Lower Fox River, the Bay of 
Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
  The Lower Green Bay and Fox River region was designated an Area of 
Concern (AOC) under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. High 
phosphorus levels fuel hypoxia in the bay, resulting in dead zones and 
fish kills. Reducing the amount of phosphorus and sediment leaving 
agricultural lands plays an important role in efforts to delist the 
Lower Fox as an AOC. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was the 
catalyst for NRCS and Brown County leaders to partner with farmers to 
adopt, maintain, and expand leading-edge conservation strategies that 
improve soil health and reduce erosion.
  Since its founding in 2013, Fox Demo Farms has stayed true to its 
mission, ensuring growers have the opportunity and resources for peer-
to-peer education about experimental and innovative conservation 
farming practices.
  Even more notable is Fox Demo Farms's success in fulfilling its 
vision to create a culture that encourages collaborative efforts to 
restore soil health, reduce runoff pollution, improve water quality, 
and support a strong regional economy.
  During the past ten years, through its field days, roundtables, 
promotions, and social media platforms, Fox Demo Farms generated 
enthusiasm for new conservation farming practices. The Fox Demo Farms 
partnership with NRCS grew from four producers and Brown County Land 
and Water Conservation Department to eight producers, their crop 
consultants, land and water conservation departments at both Brown and 
Outagamie counties, Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District (NEW 
Water), and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
  Moreover, the collaborative work and success of Fox Demo Farms 
inspired the expansion of demo farms networks across Wisconsin to seven 
networks with more than 30 farms spanning 17 counties. Demonstration 
farms networks are also active in New York and Ohio, with one gearing 
up to launch in Indiana next year.
  The Fox Demo Farms has created opportunities for farmers to meet and 
build relationships with other farmers, which helped transfer knowledge 
throughout the watershed. The work by Fox Demo Farms has been pivotal 
in transitioning farmers from being on the cutting edge of innovative 
practices and working in silos, to community conservation where farmers 
and organizations work together toward solutions.
  Mr. Speaker, join me in thanking the farmers and partners of Fox Demo 
Farms for their leadership and perseverance in elevating the value of 
conservation farming practices and congratulating them on their 
remarkable achievements. I am enthusiastic about their continued 
leadership and success in engaging more farmers across the Great Lakes 
Region to adopt conservation farming practices.

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