Many farmers already produce renewable energy by growing corn to make
ethanol. An increasing number of farmers and ranchers are now adding to
their incomes by harvesting the wind that blows across their land to
make electricity. And new options are becoming available.
Renewable energy and farming are a winning combination. Wind, solar,
and biomass energy can be harvested forever, providing farmers with a
long-term source of income. Renewable energy can be used on the farm to
replace other fuels or sold as a "cash crop."
Wind energy alone could provide 80,000 new jobs and $1.2 billion in
new income for farmers and rural landowners by 2020, according to the
U.S. Department of Energy. Renewable energy can also help reduce
pollution, global warming, and dependence on imported fuels. This
leaflet describes renewable energy options for farmers and ranchers and
how they can help make renewables a growing source of energy and rural
income in the United States. Other leaflets describe solar, wind, and
biomass energy in more detail.
Wind Power
Farms have long used wind power to pump water and generate
electricity. Recently, wind developers have installed large wind
turbines on farms and ranches in a number of states to provide power to
electric companies and consumers. Where there are strong winds,
developers may pay as much as $2,000 to $5,000 per year for each turbine
installed. Each turbine uses less than half an acre, so farmers can
plant crops and graze livestock right to the turbine's base. Some
farmers have also purchased wind turbines; others are starting to form
wind power cooperatives.
Today, most large turbines are being installed in the Midwest, Great
Plains, and West, where state policies provide support. But farmers in
many more states could benefit, since some of the best wind resources
are found on agricultural lands.
Biomass Energy
Biomass energy is produced from plants and organic wastes—everything
from crops, trees, and crop residues to manure. Crops grown for energy
could be produced in large quantities, just as food crops are. While
corn is currently the most widely used energy crop, native prairie
grasses such as switchgrass or fast-growing trees such as poplar and
willow are likely to become the most popular in the future. These
perennial crops require less maintenance and fewer inputs than do annual
row crops such as corn, so they are cheaper and more sustainable to
produce.
Crops and biomass wastes can be converted to energy on the farm or
sold to energy companies that produce fuel for cars and tractors and
heat and power for homes and businesses. According to the U.S.
Department of Energy, tripling U.S. use of biomass energy could provide
as much as $20 billion in new income for farmers and rural communities
and reduce global warming emissions by the same amount as taking 70
million cars off the road. New incentives are available from the federal
government and a number of states to help capture these benefits.
Solar Energy
The amount of energy from the sun that reaches Earth each day is
enormous. All the energy stored in Earth's reserves of coal, oil, and
natural gas is equal to the energy from only 20 days of sunshine. While
desert areas such as Arizona and Nevada get more sun than other parts of
the United States, most areas receive enough sunshine to make solar
energy practical. Solar energy can be used in agriculture in a number of
ways, saving money, increasing self-reliance, and reducing pollution.
Solar energy can cut a farm's electricity and heating bills. Solar heat
collectors can be used to dry crops and warm homes, livestock buildings,
and greenhouses. Solar water heaters can provide hot water for dairy
operations, pen cleaning, and homes. Photovoltaics (solar electric
panels) can power farm operations and remote water pumps, lights, and
electric fences. Buildings and barns can be renovated to capture natural
daylight, instead of using electric lights. Solar power is often less
expensive than extending power lines.
What You Can Do
The options that make the most sense for you depend on your local
renewable resources, energy markets, and the types of support available
from federal and state government. A growing number of states are
requiring electricity companies to provide some power from renewable
sources, creating new markets. Other states have funds for renewable
energy development. Most now allow net metering, which makes it easier
and more affordable for farms to generate the power they need from
renewables. And many states have companies that sell renewable energy
directly to customers.
Several million dollars of federal incentives are also available
through the 2002 Farm Bill to invest in renewable energy systems. For
more information, go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.
UCS can provide you with renewable energy resource maps and tell you
what types of markets and support are available or being considered in
your state.
The following fact sheets provide more information about agriculture and specific renewable energy sources:
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