WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Local farmers can benefit from MnDOT program
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Winona, MN (WXOW) - According to the Minnesota Division of Emergency Management, the natural disaster claiming the most lives in Minnesota is winter weather.
On average Minnesota taxpayers spend about $100-million on annual snow removal, trying to keep the roads clear of snow drifts and ice patches to help prevent accidents.
But a new program is helping to reduce that cost.
Local farmers will do their part this Winter to help drivers in white out conditions.
They'll improve road surface conditions through what's called a 'standing corn program'
Coordinator of MN/Dot district 6 Living Snow Fence Program Harry VanDeWiele said, "The advantages using standing corn rows is something that's already out there you don't have to set it up."
The method is used in several states and has been since the 1950's.
It aims to minimize the number of snow related accidents.
VanDeWiele said, "It saves lives cause the rows of corn also break the wind, white outs and stuff so visibility is a lot better."
The cornstalks serve as snow fences capable of capturing 12-thousand tons of snow over a quarter of a mile area.
Minnesota farmers who are willing to leave about 16-rows of corn stalks standing throughout the winter can earn $1.50 per bushel more than the current corn prices, by participating in the program.
Farmers will leave the stocks standing until the end of march, to keep the highways clear so MnDOT can focus it's plowing on other areas that need it.
Farmers who leave corn stalks standing through the winter, will save the Minnesota Department of Transportation close to a million dollars.
The 'standing corn program' requires a one-year commitment from farmers.
And farmers can also participate in the 'living snow fence program' which requires a 15-year commitment.
Effective corn rows need to be about 200-feet from the highway and agreements generally require farmers to leave 16-rows of corn in various arrangements.
Farmers must develop a contract with MnDOT in the fall. MnDOT returns to fence sites March 31 to make sure the stalks are still there. if the area looks as described on the contract, the farmer receives a check in early April.
Anyone interested in participating in the program can call: (507) 286-7593.
For more information log on to: www.dot.state.mn.us/environment/livingsnowfence
