Minnesota Celebrates its New State Soil

Photo by John A. Kelley, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

November is Soil Month in Minnesota, and the Board of Water and Soil Resources is seizing the opportunity to celebrate our new state soil, Lester. With Governor Mark Dayton’s declaration earlier this year, Lester joined the ranks of iconic Minnesota symbols like the loon, walleye and the pink and white lady’s slipper. Lester soils are found in 17 counties in south-central Minnesota, covering more than 500,000 acres. These soils formed under alternating prairie and forest vegetation and the majority is now in agricultural production. Lester soils are extremely productive and are of significant importance to the Minnesota economy.

BWSR works with landowners and other agencies to promote soil health and prevent erosion. Since 2003, BWSR has helped prevent nearly 700,000 tons of soil erosion each year.