Area landowners may qualify for a state program that is offering roughly $5,000 per acre for them to replace flood-prone soil with grasslands.

The Reinvest in Minnesota program (RIM) has deemed Mower County one of several counties that will receive assistance. Administered locally through the Mower Soil and Water Conservation District, the RIM program permanently sets aside cropland for wildlife habitat and soil protection — if landowners sign up for it.

Eligible land includes cropland along streams and ditches and other areas that frequently erode into waterways. The program adds another safeguard for the Cedar River’s flood and water-quality issues.

Landowners, however, don’t have much time to get enrolled in RIM because March 4 is the deadline. If interested, they should call the Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District at 507-434-2603.

Because the program is a one-time opportunity, Justin Hanson of Mower SWCD encourages people to sign up. He said the staff can quickly determine who qualifies.

“We can determine that easily. If guys come in, it will take us five minutes to pull up the map and tell them what they’re eligible for.”

He added, “This is an excellent program with many positive aspects to it for the participating landowner.

The public also benefits from the restoration work on that land creating a better wildlife habitat and helping to protect the nearby stream’s water quality.”

Land in the RIM program must permanently remain set aside, but the owner retains full access rights to the property. The layout can be designed to fit farming operations. Land currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program is eligible for RIM funding, too.

Since 1986, RIM has been the state’s most popular land retirement program.

“The state has enrolled thousands of acres,” Hanson said, “and Mower County landowners have taken advantage of attractive easement rates and habitat opportunities.”

He added there’s virtually no limit on RIM funding in Mower County. The state’s program has millions of dollars in the fund, and it’s meant to be spent on this project.