Posted: Nov. 23, 2009

Franklin — The House of Correction Farm and Fish Hatchery will live to see another year.

The Milwaukee County Board last week overrode several of County Executive Scott Walker's vetoes, including one that would have closed the farm.

House of Correction inmates work about 85 acres of land that yields some 400,000 pounds of produce each year for the Hunger Task Force. But the future of the farm and fish hatchery is hazy amid budget shortfalls, and many have pushed for the county to sell the land.

A taxing issue

County Supervisor Mark Borkowski, who represents Franklin, voted to sustain the veto, though he said he realizes the facility's value.

"I thoroughly understand the merits of the farm and the fish hatchery, but quite frankly I've had a lot of constituents who've said, 'Hold the line on taxes,' " Borkowski said. "I want to be consistent because, when the economy turns around, I would like for Milwaukee County to put that property for sale."

Also as part of the 2010 Milwaukee County budget, the county parks department will handle the farm rather than the sheriff's department. The Hunger Task Force is waiting to see what impact that might have on the operation, Executive Director Sherrie Tussler said.

A productive place

Hunger Task Force distributes apples, asparagus, corn, potatoes, broccoli and many other vegetables grown on the farm to area food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters.

The land also contains about 20 acres of apple trees and a fish hatchery, which raises 40,000 fish annually for county ponds and lagoons.

The organization and the county agreed to a 10-year deal in which the Hunger Task Force pays rent for warehouse space and works with House of Correction staff and nonviolent offenders to plant and harvest the food.

The arrangement includes the understanding the land would be sold if the county got a "knock your socks off" offer, said Borkowski, who added the county is not actively soliciting offers.

"It's a good agreement, but it's not something that's iron clad," he said.

Too valuable a parcel

Franklin Mayor Tom Taylor said he generally supports the Hunger Task Force, but in this case noted that the land is prime real estate for the city.

"I've already said that it wouldn't bother me at all if the House of Correction went away and, let's say, a facility downtown was built where they could house all the inmates," Taylor said. "The land as it sits at 76th Street and Ryan Road is premier commercial development, and we have that earmarked for future development in our comprehensive master plan."