Minnesota wetlands and grasslands losing out to farms
A recent Star Tribune article highlights an alarming trend in Minnesota: in just the last five years, Minnesota has lost 312 square miles of valuable wetlands and the natural vegetation an area about 5.7 times the size of Minneapolis most likely because of the high payouts that come with federally subsidized crop insurance.
The article highlights a new study by our friends at the Environmental Working Group, which explores the loss of critical wetlands and grasslands nationwide. A related article from Bloomberg suggests that sustained high commodity prices and lavish taxpayer-supported crop insurance programs combine to encouraging farmers to plow fragile lands and put ecosystems at risk.