The Krull Ranch in Hughes County, South Dakota, is a showcase for the restoration of grasslands and prairie wetlands on private land. Recent restoration work has earned Keith Krull a national wetlands conservation award from Ducks Unlimited.

Several years ago, a farmer from Montana bought land in South Dakota and broke it out to plant to wheat. According to Keith Krull, the land in Hughes County was ground "that never should have been farmed." Brothers Keith and Kip Krull bought 1,100 acres of what they called "bruised and beaten" acres to add to their ranch. Then they immediately set out to repair the damaged land. "We couldn't have done this on our own. The government programs were there to help us put this together," said Keith Krull.

Many of those 1,100 acres were offered and accepted for enrollment in CRP. With CRP cost-share assistance, plus additional assistance from Ducks Unlimited; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks the Krulls' restored or created nine wetlands on the property. They seeded several acres to grass and have initiated several other conservation practices in order to restore and repair the grassland.

"What we have out here on all those wetlands now is a duck factory," says Keith as he drives from one patch of water to the next. "And CRP has really brought the pheasants back." In addition, there are sharp-tailed grouse, wildflowers, and deer in abundance.

Brothers Kip and Keith Krull restored or created nine wetlands on land that "should never have been farmed. What we have now is a duck factory," says Keith Krull.

Kip Krull and his dog Jake in a field of CRP Permanent Native Grass and Legumes.The Krulls restored 1,100 acres of "bruised and beaten" acres with CRP cost-share and other assistance.

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