Farmers Struggle to Host Solar Amid Local Opposition
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As farmers seek to harness the financial potential of solar energy, they face a complex web of local opposition and policy barriers that threaten to overshadow the benefits of renewable development.Canfield TodayLocal opposition has long been an obstacle for green energy developers in the United States, but some communities are working to reverse local restrictions on solar projects. Farmers like Wayne Greier have faced backlash from their communities after seeking to host solar farms on their land, which could have provided much-needed lease payments. While some areas are trying to lift bans, the debate over solar development on farmland continues, with concerns over the loss of agricultural land and the impact on nearby residents.
Why it matters
Hosting solar projects can provide a critical financial lifeline for farmers facing economic challenges, but local opposition has prevented many from taking advantage of these opportunities. The debate highlights the tension between renewable energy development and preserving farmland, as well as the importance of balancing community concerns with the potential benefits of green energy projects.
The details
When a solar company approached Wayne Greier, a sixth-generation Ohio farmer, about building panels on part of his land, he saw it as a chance to save his farm amid $1 million in medical debt. But local officials blocked the 675-acre, 150-megawatt project in 2023 under a state law allowing counties to restrict wind and solar development on ‘restricted’ land. Greier said he and his family were ostracized during the public debate, and his mental health suffered. Other farmers, like Lita Leavell in Kentucky, have also had solar projects scuttled by local ordinances, in part due to the federal government’s opposition to utility-scale solar on farmland under the Trump administration.
- In 2023, local officials in Ohio blocked Wayne Greier’s planned solar farm under a state law.
- In February 2026, Dearborn County, Indiana, officials paused solar development for a year after concerns from residents.
- In 2025, a study from Columbia University found a 16% increase in local laws across 44 states that restricted renewable energy projects from 2023 to 2024.
The players
Wayne Greier
A 42-year-old sixth-generation Ohio farmer who faced $1 million in medical debt and had a planned 675-acre, 150-megawatt solar project on his land blocked by local officials in 2023.
Lita Leavell
A Kentucky cattle farmer who had hoped to host a utility-scale solar project on about half of her 1,000-acre farm, but the project was ended after a 2023 county ordinance restricted solar development.
Morgan Carroll
A lifelong resident of Richland County, Ohio, who has been working to rally support for a referendum to reverse the county’s ban on wind and solar projects.
What they’re saying
“It was our saving grace. It wasn’t a scary picture that everybody likes to paint about solar and the loss of farmland.”
— Wayne Greier, Farmer
“I want them to be in a county that can provide jobs, can provide a good school for them. I don’t want to have to move.”
— Morgan Carroll, Resident
“The thing I guess that perplexed me so much is that there’s so many more worse things that could be next to you.”
— Lita Leavell, Farmer
What’s next
Residents in Richland County, Ohio, will vote in May on a referendum to reverse the county’s ban on wind and solar projects. If passed, the referendum could pave the way for more renewable energy development in the area.
The takeaway
The debate over solar development on farmland highlights the complex balance between renewable energy, property rights, and community concerns. While solar projects can provide much-needed financial support for struggling farmers, local opposition remains a significant obstacle that some communities are working to overcome.