On April 28, 2012, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill into law recognizing Lester as the Official Minnesota State Soil. This was the result of many Minnesota soil scientists who
worked hard over the years in educating people about the value of Minnesota’s diverse soil resource. “Although it took 25 years, it was worth the effort to finally have a State Soil recognized in Minnesota. Currently there are 22 states that have an official state soil in the Country”, said Al Giencke, retired NRCS soil scientist.

Why a State Soil?
Like the other 21 Minnesota state symbols, a visual story of Minnesota can be told. Looking at symbols such as the Walleye, Red Pine, and Wild Rice, one can quickly see that the state has
abundant areas of water, forest and agronomic diversity. Lester will tell a story also. It is a rich and highly productive glacial till soil that formed under mixed forest and grassland environments. It is well drained, fertile, and medium textured to a depth of 2 meters. It started its development during the last glacial period in the state approximately 12,000 years ago.

Lester facts
The Lester name was first proposed in 1939 in McCleod County, Minnesota. It was named after the town of Lester Prairie. The series was formally established in 1945, in Dakota County, Minnesota. Lester currently is mapped in 16 Minnesota Counties totaling approximately 400,000 acres. It is used primarily for raising corn, soybeans and forage. Many of the parks and public land in the southwestern part of the Twin Cities metro, located in the “Big Woods” area of the state, is comprised of Lester soils.

Promotion of Lester
The designation of Lester has lead to new opportunities to promote soil and its wise use. At Gale Woods, Three Rivers Park District, a pit was dug in Lester soil. Soil scientists made 16 “official” monoliths to give to people and organizations for promotions purposes. NRCS purchased 5 one of a kind “synthetic” Lester monoliths for promotion within the state. Recently three NRCS soil scientists, Kristin Brennan, Janine Anderson, and Kathryn DesForge conducted a “train the trainer” for educators at Gale Woods. These educators work primarily with school age students on field trips and summer camps. A state soil exhibit was developed at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum this summer by Al Giencke and the Arboretum staff.  (see photo) .

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