Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Living Snow Fences

Control blowing and drifting snow

image of living snow fence

Forms and agreements

Short-term blowing snow control agreements

Short term blowing snow control agreements are defined as being used for one winter season. The standing corn row agreement is used only for standing corn rows on a site. The temporary blowing snow control agreement can be used when multiple snow fence treatments - standing corn rows, stacked bales, 4-foot tall temporary snow fencing - are used on one site.

Long-term blowing snow control agreements

Long term agreements are defined as being used for multiple seasons of blowing snow control protection. These agreements are used when trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers are rooted in the ground or when structural snow fencing posts are inserted into concrete or sleeves in the ground to a depth of 4 feet or greater.

Farm Product Price Index

The Farm Product Price Index for 2022 was 250.7. The Index is used to determine whether or not MnDOT's annual payment to the landowner should be adjusted upwards based on the rise of agriculture commodity values from the previous year. Should the value decline, MnDOT still agrees to honor and not fall below the original landowner sign up dollar value. Here's an example for calculating MnDOT’s payment (PDF) based on the performance of the farm product price index.

Year Annual Farm Product Price Index
2022 250.7
2021 198
2020 157.9
2019 161.5
2018 160.9
2017 161.8
2016 157
2015 173.8
2014 197.5
2013 195.3

Become a state vendor

Become a state vendor for leaving standing corn rows or growing a living snow fence through the Statewide Integrated Financial Tools system. The SWIFT system provides vendors with self-service functions that include requesting changes to addresses and contact information as well as viewing purchase orders and payments. Vendors can also sign up for direct deposit through the system. To get paid by MnDOT for a living snow fence, complete the online State Vendor Registration Form.

  • How to become a state vendor (PDF)