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Crops and Cows or Killowatts? A Midwest Dilemma
Commentary.
Land in the Midwest is not just dirt. It’s legacy, livelihood, and, increasingly, a line in the sand.
We’re being told that converting productive crop ground and pasture into solar farms is progress. Clean energy. A smart use of space. And I understand that argument. But not all land is created equal, and not all tradeoffs are wise.
I’ve always believed that if you own a piece of land, you should be able to build whatever you want on it without government intervention. Property rights matter. They’re foundational to agriculture and to rural America. But come on… just because we can do something doesn’t always mean we should, especially when the long-term consequences stretch far beyond one fence line.
In the heart of the Midwest, some of the most fertile soil in the world is already under pressure from development, erosion, weather extremes, and from the economics that make it harder each year to stay in production. At the same time, the U.S. cow herd is shrinking. Pasture ground is not something we have in abundance. Once it’s gone or converted it’s not easily replaced.
When land is taken out of agriculture for solar development, we’re not just shifting its use. We’re removing its ability to feed people and support rural economies. That ground grows corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. It supports cattle farms, which in turn support local sale barns, feed suppliers, veterinarians, and small-town businesses. Pull one piece out, and the ripple effects are real.
There’s also a long-term question that doesn’t get asked enough: what happens 20 or 30 years down the road? Solar panels have a lifespan. Will that land be restored to its original productivity? Or will it be altered in ways that make it harder to bring back into full agricultural use? Farmers think in generations, not just decades.
And then there’s the practical reality – many of these solar projects are being sited on flat, well-drained, highly productive ground. Why? Because it’s easy. It’s efficient. But that’s exactly the kind of land we cannot afford to lose.
Now, if you are a landowner being approached about leasing your ground for solar or even granting an easement so a company can access nearby land, this is where it gets very real. These contracts are often long-term, detailed, and written to protect the company first. Before signing anything, make sure you have a qualified attorney read and then read it again. Look closely at terms around land restoration, liability, payment structures, tax implications, and what happens if the project changes hands. The same goes for easements. That access road or transmission line might seem minor today, but it can impact your operation for decades.
If the goal is truly to expand renewable energy, which should be part of the conversation, then let’s be smarter about where it goes. Rooftops. Parking lots. Contaminated or former industrial sites. Landfills. Marginal land that isn’t feeding livestock or producing crops. There are options that don’t require taking prime farmland out of production.
This isn’t about being anti-solar. It’s about being pro-agriculture and pro-common sense. Farmers are already doing more with less, managing tighter margins, and navigating uncertainty that most people never see. Taking away productive land in a time when food security and supply chains matter more than ever sure feels short-sighted.
The Midwest has always been a cornerstone of food production. That shouldn’t be compromised without serious thought about the consequences.
Once that ground is gone from production, getting it back isn’t as simple as flipping a switch.
Why is the argument framed as ‘agriculture OR solar’? That is a false argument!! Why isn’t the fact that the two can be combined presented? Both cattle and sheep, as well as plant crops can be produced on solar farms. The combination of solar AND agriculture “Agrivoltaics” is definitely a ‘thing’, bringing the best of both to our farms. Both plants and animals do better, producing higher yields when they have protection from the harsh sun which gets hotter every summer thanks to climate change. And no, climate change is not ‘a hoax’ and we can’t hide our heads in the dirt to avoid it. Perhaps if the current administration had not yanked all of the Rural Energy for America Program grants, cattle wouldn’t BE in decline! This article presents a false, slanted perspective on solar farms in the Midwest.