Keep these questions in mind before putting a wind turbine on your farm

Signing a contract to put wind turbines on your property can bring in some significant money. However, there are things to keep in mind as a landowner before picking up that pen.

“That lease that you are agreeing to with that wind tower company is really going to set the structure for the terms of that contract,: the length of time, the payment schedule, if there’s damages, and the access points. There are a lot of things that need to be negotiated. Educating yourself, doing your due diligence as a landowner to familiarize yourself. Keeping your farm operator in the loop as well is going to be very important as you start thinking about entering into these contracts. We’ve certainly seen a flurry of them here in the Midwest. It’s very important to understand how that wind tower and that lease is going to affect your land value and your land asset for years to come,” said Spencer Smith.

Smith says he has seen contracts pay out anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 per megawatt per tower, with a typical lease running upwards of 30 years.

Related Stories
American Farmland Trust shares guidance, research, and policy solutions to help farmers navigate the growing threat of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” contaminating U.S. farmland.
Richard Gupton of the Agricultural Retailers Association discusses the EPA’s new decision on over-the-top Dicamba and what it means for growers this year.
The agreement formalizes coordination between the two departments to address security concerns affecting U.S. agriculture.
Strong corn exports offer support, while soybeans and wheat remain weighed down by ample global supplies, according to the USDA’s latest WASDE report for February.
Higher livestock prices reflect resilient demand, even as disease and herd shifts reshape 2026 supply expectations.
Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance discusses the importance of grain bin safety and joint efforts with Nationwide to provide farmers and first responders with access to critical, life-saving rescue tubes.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Twisted Skillet’s Cantina Peanuts are a crispy bar snack made with raw Spanish peanuts, fried up with garlic, chile de árbol, and crunchy tortilla bits, creating a classic, savory Mexican “botana” or appetizer.
Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions provides remote water-monitoring technology to help ranchers manage livestock water more efficiently.
Jones Hamilton Company shares insights on herd health, efficiency, and innovation for cattle producers this year at NCBA CattleCon in Nashville.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses current farmer sentiment, trade considerations, and the market factors shaping the outlook for the upcoming planting season.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln President Dr. Jeffrey Gold talks about heart health and preventive care for viewers in rural communities.
Jeramy Stephens of National Land Realty breaks down current trends in the farmland real estate market and how landowners should consider water availability and its impact on land values as they plan for the year ahead.