Iowa Farmers Use Crops as Winter Snow Fences
Agricultural landholders can earn payments by leaving standing corn or round bales to block snow drifts.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Agriculture
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The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) operates a program that pays farmers in the Northwest Iowa region to leave standing corn rows or round bales along state and U.S. highways. These crops function as natural snow fences to reduce drift accumulation on roadways during the winter.
Why it matters
This program provides a secondary revenue stream for farmers while helping state agencies manage road safety and snow removal costs. By utilizing existing agricultural assets, the state reduces the need for expensive artificial barrier installations.
The Iowa DOT coordinates this program across three maintenance garages in Alton, Ashton, and Rock Rapids. Payment terms for the standing corn and bale placements remain subject to individual agreements between local operators and the department.
The players
Iowa Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for managing highway infrastructure, traffic safety, and seasonal maintenance operations.
Lance Schlumbohm
The supervisor overseeing DOT maintenance garage operations in the Alton, Ashton, and Rock Rapids districts.
The details
Farmers participate in this program by contacting local DOT maintenance garages to establish placement for standing rows or round bales. Once approved, the organic barriers are left in place throughout the winter season to intercept blowing snow. This mechanism effectively creates a permeable windbreak that traps drifts before they reach the highway surface.
Timeline
The program is active throughout the winter months.
Market Landscape
This program functions as a decentralized extension of the Iowa DOT winter operations maintenance standards. By leveraging private agricultural resources, the agency avoids the capital expenditures typically required for permanent, manufactured snow fencing.
Operators in Northwest Iowa should evaluate their proximity to state or U.S. highways to determine if their land is eligible for this program. Contact the Alton (712-756-8814), Ashton (712-724-6211), or Rock Rapids (712-472-3719) garages to verify current participation requirements.
The takeaway
This initiative turns field assets into infrastructure, allowing farmers to monetize roadside land during the off-season. Consult with your local DOT garage supervisor to review the specific liability and placement requirements before committing crops for winter fencing.
Further reading
For more information on state agricultural policies and programs, visit the Agriculture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KIWA Radio.
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