What You Can Do The options that make the most sense We can provide you with renewable for you depend on your local renewable energy resource maps and tell you what resources, energy markets, and the types types of markets and support are available of support available from federal and or are being considered in your state. state government. A growing number of states are requiring electricity companies UCS factsheets provide more infor- Renewable to provide some power from renewable mation about agriculture and specific sources, creating new markets. Other renewable energy sources: Energy and states have funds for renewable energy = Farming the Wind: development. Most now allow net Wind Power and Agriculture metering, which makes it easier and Agriculture: = Growing Energy on the Farm: more affordable for farms to generate Biomass Energy and Agriculture the power they need from renewables. A Natural Fit And many states have companies that sell = Up With the Sun: Many farmers already produce renewable renewable energy directly to customers. Solar Energy and Agriculture energy-growing corn to make ethanol. To find out more about renewable energy and agriculture, An increasing number of farmers and visit the UCS web page at www.ucsusa.org/energy. ranchers are now adding to their incomes Wind power is at home in farm country. Or write: Energy Program, Union of Concerned Scientists, by harvesting the wind that blows across Photo: Warren Gretz, National Renewable Energy Lab Two Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238. their land to make electricity. And new Or call: 617-547-5552. options are becoming available. Wind Power

Renewable energy and farming are a Farms have long used wind power to winning combination. Wind, solar, and pump water and generate electricity. biomass energy can be harvested forever, Recently, wind developers have installed providing farmers with a long-term large wind turbines on farms and ranches source of income. Renewable energy in a number of states to provide power to can be used on the farm to replace other electric companies and consumers. Where Two Brattle Square fuels or sold as a “cash crop.” there are strong winds, developers may pay Cambridge, MA 02238-3105 Wind energy alone could provide as much as $2,000 per year for each tur- $1.2 billion in new income for farmers bine installed. Each turbine uses only and rural landowners by 2020 and 80,000 about a quarter acre, so farmers can plant new jobs, according to the US Depart- crops and graze livestock right to the tur- ment of Energy. Renewable energy can bine's base. Some farmers have also pur- also help reduce pollution, global warm- chased wind turbines; farmers in Europe ing, and dependence on imported fuels. have formed wind power cooperatives. This leaflet describes renewable energy Today, most large turbines are being options for farmers and ranchers and installed in California, Iowa, Minnesota, how they can help make renewables a and Texas, where state governments pro- growing source of energy and rural vide support. But farmers in many more income in the US. Other leaflets states could benefit, since some of the best describe solar, wind, and biomass energy wind resources are found on agri-cultural in more detail. lands, especially in the Plains states. Solar Energy

Solar energy can cut a farm’s electricity and heating bills. Solar heat collectors can be used to dry crops. 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. Solar power is often less expensive than extending power lines.

Switchgrass is a promising energy crop that can be handled with typical farm equipment. Photo: Art Wiselogel, National Renewable Energy Lab

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy is produced from Crops and biomass wastes can be con- plants and organic wastes-everything verted to energy on the farm or they from crops, trees, and crop residues to can be sold to energy companies to pro- manure. Crops grown for energy could duce fuel for cars and tractors and heat be produced in large quantities, just as and power for homes and businesses. food crops are. While corn is currently Tripling US use of biomass energy could the most widely used energy crop, provide as much as $20 billion in new native prairie grasses like switchgrass or income for farmers and rural com- fast-growing trees like poplar and willow munities and reduce global warming are likely to become the most popular emissions by the same amount as taking in the future. These perennial crops 70 million cars off the road, according require less maintenance and fewer the US Department of Energy. New inputs than annual row crops like corn, incentives are available from the federal so they are cheaper and more sustainable government and a number of states to to produce. help capture these benefits.