The region has been in a drought that started in 2020. Until this week, nearly all of the state was abnormally dry and 75 percent of the state in a moderate drought.

Then rain and snow hit and Thursday morning’s drought monitor report contained some good news. On Thursday, 43 percent of the state is in a moderate drought thanks to that multi-day storm system.

Jeff Strock joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about what that means for soils — and farms — around Minnesota. Strock is a soil scientist who shares information with farmers in his role with the University of Minnesota Southwest Research and Outreach Center.