Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
A move by Shawano County officials to break a farmer’s lease on a county-owned farm stirred more concerns Thursday among some county supervisors.
Members of the county agriculture, extension and conservation committee questioned the timing of the lease action, coming just after a failed attempt by some county officials to sell the farmland.
Farmer Kraig Rosenow learned he could lose his lease with the county one week after he spoke out against selling the property — a move that was defeated.
Advocates of reconsidering Rosenow’s lease have talked about wanting to seek competing bids and perhaps get a better deal for the county when leasing the land in the town of Belle Plaine.
Members of the agriculture committee, however, expressed suspicion about the move Thursday, noting that the county had just renewed Rosenow’s lease for another five years in December.
Supervisor Kathy Luebke said it appears “sour grapes” on the part of some county officials are behind the lease action.
“I’m really confused about why this is being brought up,” Luebke said. “To me, this looks like bad apples. It makes Shawano County look bad.”
Supervisor Robert Krause, chairman of the agriculture committee, alluded to the County Board’s decision Feb. 24 against selling the farm property. Referring to those now pushing to reconsider Rosenow’s lease, Krause said some officials seem undeterred by the lopsided 22-4 vote in favor of keeping the farm.
“They’re trying to sell the land when nobody wants to sell it,” Krause said.
The county property, located along state Highway 22 in Belle Plaine, includes a former county “poor farm” site and covers about 284 acres that Rosenow has leased for at least 15 years. He pays the county rent of $125 an acre, or about $35,000, per year.
County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann and others proposed selling part of the property and using the proceeds of $500,000 or more to pay for other county expenses. The County Board rejected the sale idea Feb. 24 after hearing opposition from the general public, from Belle Plaine town leaders and from Rosenow.
One week later, the county public property committee, which had endorsed the farm sale, met to consider terminating Rosenow’s lease on the property. After an emotional plea from Rosenow, the committee agreed to postpone action on the matter until April.
Members of the agriculture committee took no action Thursday, but none voiced support for breaking Rosenow’s lease. The lease was renewed Dec. 31 for another five-year period that starts April 1.
Supervisor Marvin Klosterman joined others on the committee in questioning the timing of the move.
“I have a bad feeling about that,” he said.