In the 1930s, new windbreaks were established throughout the northern Great Plains to reduce soil loss and improve soil productivity. Today, about 54,000 miles of these windbreaks remain in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, but that number is steadily declining. Of this total, Minnesota accounts for only 5,000 miles, located primarily in the Red River Valley. All other states combined have 42,000 miles of windbreaks.
Windbreaks have multiple uses and provide multiple private and social benefits.
They protect field crops during the growing season, enhance moisture by controlling snow distribution, and provide a habitat for wildlife. In addition, windbreaks provide attractive landscapes in rural areas. Field windbreaks, however, are costly to establish, and equally costly to maintain and renovate. Windbreaks are becoming less effective at sheltering crops and controlling moisture because older windbreaks are losing trees that are not being replaced. For example, a survey conducted in 1979 found that 21 percent of windbreaks needed renovation and that, among windbreaks that were over 50 years old, one out of two were being removed and would not be replaced.