USDA is investing $7 million to support the development of wetland mitigation banks for agriculture. To participate in many USDA programs, conservation compliance is required. This program allows farmers to purchase credits and avoid penalties for farming converted wetlands. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources was awarded $995,000 to create six mitigation banks. Ellingson Drainage and its partner, Moore Engineering, will receive an award of $975,000 to develop three-to-five wetland mitigation banks in western and southern Minnesota. Projects in five other states also received funding.
