Solar Projects Raise Questions Over Farmland Use

American Farmland Trust says solar development does not have to take farmland out of production.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — American Farmland Trust is working to expand solar energy while keeping farmland in production.

Emily Cole with American Farmland Trust joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to discuss the organization’s Smart Solar program.

In her conversation with RFD News, Cole said solar projects are often built on farmland because it offers open land near transmission lines.

Cole says farmland can still be used for agriculture while solar panels are in place. When land is not actively farmed, she says protecting the soil can help keep it suitable for future production.

Cole also encouraged farmers to get involved in the local approval process and have a say in how solar projects are developed in their communities.

LEARN MORE: https://farmland.org/smart-solar

Related Stories
USDA says it is working to address farmer concerns and enforce antitrust laws.
Higher fuel costs are affecting both on-farm operations and grain transportation.
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Ag Committee, discusses Farm Bill 2.0, the challenges facing producers, and the path forward for the legislation ahead of Wednesday’s committee vote.
Nitrogen prices could rise through spring before projected relief arrives next summer.
Farmers are cutting back on fertilizer and equipment spending as margins tighten.
Diesel near $6 per gallon raises harvest and transportation costs while adding another expense to already-tight farm margins. Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses rising diesel prices, transportation costs, and their impact on farmers.

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Dr. Jeffrey Gold explains how repeated exposure to farm noise can affect hearing.
Spring wheat harvest is one point ahead of the five-year average.
Community support can help farmers manage stress and mental health challenges.
23% of North American farmers are using generative AI for farm-related tasks.
U.S. forest products add more than $400 billion to the nation’s GDP each year.
Producers will have access to the modernized platform for fall-seeded crops.
Agriculture Shows
Agriculture is the most important industry in the world, and Ag PhD Daily brings you the information you need to best manage your business only on RFD-TV and RFD+
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.