MnDOT Encouraging Farmers To Plant Snow Breaks This Spring

You've got to look and plan ahead. As farmers plan out their spring planting, MnDOT is asking farmers to consider joining the standing corn rows program for the winter of 2019-2020.

There are currently 11 farmers in District 6 that are working with MnDOT in the program. A typical snow break is about a quarter-mile long and one acre with 12 rows of corn left standing parallel with the highways. The corn acts as a snow fence slowing the snows progress onto the highways. Minimum compensation to the farmer is about $1,000 an acre.

The ears of corn growing on the "living snow fences" may be hand picked. Those interested in learning more about the program for next winter may contact the District 6 MnDOT office in Rochester or go online to this MnDOT website.

These living snow fences are quite a help. I know that I certainly appreciate the farmers south of Owatonna that line up their large bales into a snow block wall. While it hasn't meant that much this winter yet, just wait.

Let's think summer for a moment. Check out the grandstand lineup for this summers Freeborn County Fair in Albert Lea.