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Wind Energy Brings Jobs to Rural America

August 25, 2009

Cascade County: Wind Power: Put Wind to Work for You

July 28, 2009

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66th Annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention

November 10, 2010

Commodity Classic

March 3, 2011

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Cascade County: Wind Power: Put Wind to Work for You

July 28, 2009

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Wind Energy Development and the Agricultural Community

Wind turbines at Spirit Lake Community Schools, the first wind-powered school district in Iowa (PIX11342).

Spirit Lake, Iowa. Installation and operation results in $20,000 to $25,000 profit per year.

Carbon County, Wyoming. Revenue from property tax on the Foote Creek Rim Wind Plant provides 30% of the county budget.

  • The agricultural community can benefit from wind's many economic, energy, and environmental attributes.
  • Wind energy provides an additional source of income for rural communities, benefiting county and local services including schools, health care facilities, and roads.
  • Landowners with wind development on their property receive $2,000 to $5,000 per turbine per year.
  • Wind energy uses less water than fossil fuel plants.
  • Turbines do not take up much land. Crops can be grown and livestock grazed right up to the base of the machine. Turbines do not interfere with daily operations.
  • Homegrown energy makes the U.S. more secure.

Wind Powering America continues to develop and strengthen alliances with the agricultural sector and organizational alliances, including 25x'25, the American Corn Growers Foundation, the National Association of Counties, and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.

Agricultural lands in the United States are ripe for generating and utilizing renewable energy resources. With net farm and ranch income down and drought conditions throughout much of the United States, farmers and ranchers and others in the agricultural community are taking a serious look at how wind energy can become their new cash crop.

The agricultural community includes not only farmers and ranchers, but also rural community leaders such as banks, rural economic development organizations, rural businesses, agriculture cooperatives, agricultural extension, Chambers of Commerce, schools, county government, and other groups that make up rural America.

Wind Farms

When establishing wind farms, wind energy developers generally approach landowners where they want to build. Interest in wind farms is frequently spurred by external pressures such as tax and other financial incentives and legislative mandates. Since each situation is influenced by local policies and permitting, we provide general guidance to help you understand the process of installing wind turbines.

Farm Bill

The Farm Bill includes a number of financial incentives applicable to wind.

Outreach Articles for Public Use

Electricity from the Wind series of articles was designed to support agricultural outreach efforts. The articles explore wind energy issues as they relate to the rural/agricultural community. These articles are available to media outlets in your state, especially agricultural media outlets. The articles may also be used as handouts when attending agricultural group meetings.

Podcasts

Wind Powering America and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters produces a series of radio interviews on wind energy aimed at a rural stakeholder audience.

Speakers Available for Radio Interviews

Wind Powering America has brought together a slate of professionals who have committed to be available for radio interviews.

Resources and Tools

This page lists resources and tools specifically for the agricultural community.

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