Wetland restored, Conservation District can help

This land at one time was tiled and producing corn and soybeans. The problem was that in some years, after a heavy rain, the corn and soybeans would drown out. The farmer would have all the planting costs, but maybe two or three years out of five, get nothing in return. This farmer decided to let Mother Nature have the land back with the help of his local Soil and Water Conservation District. They had a program that would help with the restoration costs of the wetland plus pay him for the use of the land. It is called the Reinvest in Minnesota Wetlands Easement Program. Ashley Gallagher with the Rice County Soil and Water Conservation District said sign-up for this program ends Jan. 30. If you have some land you might be interested in enrolling contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District.