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How renewable energy can benefit rural communities
A coalition of farmers and ranchers says renewable energy can provide economic benefits in a challenging ag economy.
Sam Roberts is Ohio’s director for Farm to Power.
“Renewables offer a stable income to farms to help offset those uncertainties and most importantly, many times provides a way for farmers to stay in operation and be passed down to the next generation.”
He says the organization continues to work on improving the process.
“We really want to make sure that there’s a fair siting process given to farmers and ranchers who decide to pursue a renewable lease and their right to determine what they do with their land is protected,” he says.
Roberts says renewables can be a valuable resource for farmers, while also helping rural America’s energy future.
AUDIO: Sam Roberts, Farm to Power
I agree one hundred percent with what is said about farmers having the right to look at these renewable energy opportunities when it comes their way. But I will say in the county where I live in Missouri that there are planning and zoning boards who may not feel the same way and feel that this opportunity, even for them and potential increased tax revenues is not what they would like to see in their county and therefore can put a stop to moving forward with renewable sources and at the discretion of what a private landowner wishes to do with their land and with whom they lease with. It is not right and it is not fair that a private landowner in agriculture cannot make these decisions on their own and a planning and zoning board can roll over that.