Farmland in Augusta County, Va. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)
I own a farm in Augusta County, Virginia that has been in my family for 75 years. We’re proud of it and it’s a legacy I’d like to pass down to my children, just like my father did for me. But in today’s economy, keeping the farm isn’t easy. Costs keep rising, and each season brings a new set of challenges.
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About four years ago, I entered into an option agreement with a solar energy developer. To my family, solar power represented a chance at stability and a new way to support the farm. It would allow us to preserve our land, create reliable income and keep our farm alive for the next generation. The project would have provided 150 megawatts of clean energy to the community, while also generating $3.25 million for Augusta County — funds that could go to schools, roads and emergency services. But the county commission chose to terminate the project.
When people think of solar projects, I understand that some might have concerns about using farmland. But here’s the thing: Farmers take pride in caring for the land. Our approach to solar would have been no different. Unlike permanent real estate developments that require tearing up land or drastically changing its structure, solar offers a temporary use. Once the panels are gone, the land can return to agriculture. To us, this project wasn’t about changing our farm but about helping it last for the next generation.
Solar also offered a financial safety net that could help us stay in farming even during hard times. It’s not a replacement for farming; it’s a way to support it. Instead of selling off pieces of the farm or struggling to make ends meet, we could rely on solar to keep our land intact and operational.
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On a larger scale, Virginia’s energy needs are only growing. Demand is expected to more than double in the next few decades. The Virginia Clean Economy Act calls for more renewable energy sources to meet that demand, but those sources need space. If we don’t add solar, today’s lowest cost form of energy, we’ll end up relying on less sustainable options, which could impact our land, air, water and energy prices. These secondary impacts of relying on less sustainable energy ultimately make it harder, costlier and riskier for farmers to farm. Solar allows us to meet our state’s energy goals while keeping our agricultural heritage alive.
There’s also a significant economic impact for communities like ours. Augusta County could have used the $3.25 million in tax revenue from our solar project to fund our schools, roads and emergency services. Unlike other developments, solar doesn’t require massive changes to infrastructure. It’s a low-impact addition that could bring in much-needed funds for local programs. For us, solar wasn’t just an economic decision for the farm but a way to support our community as well.
Virginia has always respected landowner rights, allowing people to choose how to manage their land in ways that work best for them. When the county blocked our project, it took that choice away from us. We weren’t asking for special treatment; we just wanted to use our land in a way that made sense for our family, our farm’s future, and our community. Solar is a choice that allows us to keep farming and keep contributing to the community.
Moving forward, I hope our state will find a more balanced approach to solar siting. There has to be a way to include local voices and address concerns without shutting down opportunities for local farmers. We need policies that allow farms like ours to survive in today’s economy, even as we help meet Virginia’s energy needs. We need support, not additional barriers.
For my family and for many others in Virginia, solar could be the key to keeping our farms alive. It’s a chance to hold onto our land, preserve it and leave it better for the future. For Augusta County and for Virginia, I hope we can find a way to make solar a real option for farmers. It’s a choice we should have the right to make.
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