Physical Setting: The Northwest Partnership area can be defined in a variety of ways. Using political boundaries, the partnership is made up of 11 counties in Northwest Minnesota.

Using the Ecological Classification System, the Northwest Partnership area encompasses the Red River Prairie, the Lake Agassiz Aspen Parklands, and parts of the Agassiz Lowlands and the Hardwood Hills. These areas are described on the MN DNR website.
The Region includes most of the Minnesota portion of the Red River Basin. The Red River Basin Information Page includes a variety of maps describing the soils, landscape and river systems, including agroecoregions.
From an agricultural perspective, the USDA describes Major Land Resource Areas. Click the images for a larger view and explanation. MLRA 56 - Red River Valley MLRA 57 - Northern Minnesota Gray Drift MLRA 88 - Northern Minnesota Glacial Lake Basins
The table below lists acreages and percentages of various land uses in the 11 counties of the Northwest Partnership region.
Description	Acreage	Percent of Total
Urban and rural development	93,004	1.1
Cultivated land	5,064,060	62.3
Hay/pasture/grassland	562,075	6.9
Brushland	274,220	3.4
Forested	1,075,243	13.2
Water	384,928	4.7
Bog/marsh/fen	661,844	8.1
Mining	8,472	0.1
Total	8,123,846	100.0
MINNESOTA LAND USE AND COVER - 1990s CENSUS OF THE LAND

Back to Top

Agricultural and Economic Statistics