Protecting Additional Acreage of the Norman J. Fehring Farm

On December 18, 2025, the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation (CLCF) finalized a conservation easement protecting 12.8 acres of farmland located just south of Pleasant Valley Road in the Town of Polk. Owned by the Norman J. Fehring Family Trust, this newly conserved land adds to the 133 acres placed under permanent protection through a conservation easement in 2023.

The property holds conservation value due to its close proximity to other CLCF protected properties, including the Klassen and Ziegler-Burg properties. Its sloping topography and location along Cedar Creek strengthen its environmental significance.

The protected property includes pasture and southern mesic forest, both of which slope toward Cedar Creek along the property’s eastern boundary. About 550 feet of Cedar Creek runs adjacent to the property, and a portion of the creek’s floodplain is wetland. The property lies within the Cedar Creek watershed of the Milwaukee River Basin, where its protection will help safeguard water quality and reduce erosion.

In addition to its ecological value, the property offers scenic open space, featuring productive farmland, forested areas, a stream corridor, and distinctive kettle moraine topography that is visible from the surrounding area. The conservation easement preserves the land’s agricultural values while promoting responsible soil and water stewardship that benefits the broader watershed.

This project was completed in partnership with the Norman J. Fehring Family Trust and brings CLCF’s total protected acreage to 3,211 acres. The Fehring Family has farmed land in the area for five generations and continues to set an example of thoughtful land stewardship. CLCF is deeply grateful for the Fehring Family’s ongoing commitment to protecting the natural resources of the Cedar Lakes Region.