Have you ever wondered what those tubular straw rolls are that you see on slopes? They are called “wattles.” These wattles, composed of tightly packed straw, are used to reduce soil erosion.

BELFIELD, N.D. -- As Kurt Kordon was driving down the road he noticed the straw wattles -- long ... and now is co-owner of Northern Plains Erosion Control, LLC. A wattle is a seemingly simple ...