Major Land Resource Area (MLRA)

Major land resource areas (MLRAs) are geographically associated land resource units (LRUs) that share a common land use, elevation and topography, climate, water, soils, and vegetation.  Identification of these large areas is important in statewide agricultural planning and has value in interstate, regional, and national planning.

The dominant physical characteristics of the major land resource areas are described briefly in Agriculture Handbook 296  The first paragraph lists the extent of each MLRA in each state and the total area. Major cities, highways, and culturally significant Federal- and state-owned lands within each MLRA are also listed. The remaining headings for each MLRA include, physiography, geology,  climate, water, soils, biological resources, and land use.

MLRAs in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is divided into 2 Land Resource Regions (LRR): The Northern Lake States Forest and Forest Region (M) and The Central Feed Grains and Livestock Region (K).  MLRAs 90A, 90B, 91B, 92, 93B, 94B, 94D, 95A, 104 and 105 are assigned to Major Land Resource Area Office 10 (MO-10) in St. Paul, MN.  MLRAs 89, 95B, and 110 are assigned to Major Land Resource Area Office 11 (MO-11) in Indianapolis, IN.  For a detailed description of these MLRAs or to view a high resolution MLRA map, download Agricultural Handbook 296.

For more information contact the MLRA Project Leader

Altoona MLRA Soil Survey Office
Tim A. Meyer, MLRA Project Leader
1304 North Hillcrest Parkway, Suite A
Altoona, WI 54720

Rhinelander MLRA Soil Survey Office
Dave J. Hvizdak, MLRA Project Leader
2187 N. Stevens St., Suite A
Rhinelander, WI 54501

Juneau MLRA Soil Survey Office
Chris Miller, MLRA Project Leader
451 West North Street
Juneau, WI 53039-1120

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