Field to Forest Cost-Share Program Opens in Minnesota

Minnesota DNR Press Release | August 14, 2025

Private landowners in Minnesota with open lands, like former pastures or crop fields, can now apply for financial help to plant trees through the DNR’s Field to Forest Cost-Share Program.

The goal is to restore tree cover across the state. Selected projects can get up to 75 percent reimbursement for planting costs, plus a $500-per-acre incentive payment after planting is completed in spring 2026 to help with seedling care.

Forestry incentives coordinator Jennifer Teegarden says Minnesota has lost more than 15 million acres of forest since European settlement, most on private lands. This program helps restore those lost forests (and the environmental, economic, and habitat benefits they bring) by covering part of the planting and early care costs.

Reforesting open lands can slow runoff, prevent erosion, improve water retention, and rebuild healthy soils. Forests also provide wildlife habitat, help guard against drought and flooding, and for landowners, can boost property value, offer future timber income, and create recreation opportunities.

The program focuses on projects of three acres or more, not residential landscaping. Funding is first-come, first-served. Landowners can buy seedlings from private nurseries or the Minnesota State Forest Nursery.

Interested landowners should contact their local DNR stewardship forester by December 1st. Details are online at mndnr.gov/woodlands.

Funding comes from the U.S. Forest Service.

This has been a DNR update with KQ92 and KRWB, your local homegrown radio station.

Dispute Over Tobin Fishery Building Sparks Strong Reactions at County Meeting

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | August 14, 2025

Baudette, MINN. – A lengthy discussion over the historic Tobin Fishery property drew strong opinions at the Lake of the Woods County Commissioners meeting this week.

Public Works Director Anthony Pirkl warned the county could lose funding for right-of-way projects if the fish house remains within an easement. Josh Stromlund of Lake of the Woods Land & Water briefly outlined his involvement, followed by statements from property owner Jim Meikle and his attorney, Alan B. Fish.

Meikle and Fish argued the easement affects only six inches of the property — not enough, they say, to justify removing the building. Fish called other permit and admission issues “red herrings,” while Meikle said moving the building would be costly and difficult. He expressed an emotional desire to restore the historic structure.

Commissioner Ed Arnesen voiced sympathy, urging the board “not to use a hammer” in dealing with the matter. He also negotiated the tear down, then subsequent rebuilding or restoration of the fish house in another location. Commissioner Jon Waibel agreed there should be a better option, but raised safety concerns if not moved. He noted the practical and financial challenges of relocation.

Community members at the meeting largely supported Meikle, with one saying the controversy was like “stirring up a hornets’ nest.” The debate centers on the meaning of a 1950s easement that stated the property should be “left as is.” Meikle said, “Nobody cared until we started the work.”

Stromlund countered that the issue isn’t a matter of 6 inches, but rather 60-feet. He recommended giving Meikle 60 days to resolve the matter, noting that prior work may have negated any grandfather clause brought on by the original 1956 agreement.

The board would go on to extend negotiations for 60 days and appointed Waibel and Arnesen to a special negotiation committee. Officials said there will be no additional public hearings on the issue.