Solar energy is the key to farmland preservation

Farming is the backbone of America. For generations, farmers have worked to put food on the table for their families, neighbors and communities.

Here in Putnam County, farming is foundational; it’s a way of life, a tradition rooted in the soil. According to a 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, more than half of the county’s land is devoted to farming. Across Indiana, we continue to be a leader in corn and soybean production, but how those crops are used has changed over time.

Today, a large portion of Indiana’s corn goes to energy production. Indiana ranks fifth in the nation for corn and soybean production and produces around 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol and 100 million gallons of biofuel each year. In other words, our farmland is already powering America.

Now, we’re seeing another kind of energy crop take root: Solar panels. In addition to generating steady income for farm families, allowing farmland to stay under local ownership, solar also provides the opportunity to give the land a rest and let the soil regenerate. For farmers looking to keep land in the family, protect their soil and generate steady income, solar is proving to be a practical solution.

While they may look different than traditional crops, solar doesn’t have to shift land away from farming or food production. Indiana is emerging as a national leader in “agrivoltaics,” the dual use of land for solar energy and agriculture. A common method is solar grazing, where livestock like sheep maintain vegetation naturally by grazing beneath and around the panels. This helps prevent erosion, supports soil health and reduces the need for mechanical mowing. By regularly consuming plant growth, grazing also minimizes the risk of brush fires.

Importantly, agrivoltaics can also allow the soil to rest and even regenerate organic matter and fertility. Agrivoltaics can ensure that Hoosier farmland stays healthy and capable of supporting vegetation throughout the life of the project. And solar grazing doesn’t rule out crops: Low-growing plants like certain hays, berries and herbs can thrive alongside the panels, keeping farmland productive while generating clean energy.

Take the proposed 4Leaf Solar project in Putnam County. It’s designed to be more than just a power source — it’s a long-term farmland preservation strategy. It helps keep land in agricultural use, supports local farmers and leaves the soil in better shape for the next generation.

Farming has always evolved — from food to fuel and now to energy. It’s a way to protect the land we love, stay rooted in agriculture, and meet the growing energy and food needs of our country, all at the same time.

Putnam County native Neal Knapp is an educator, researcher and farmer working at the nexus of commercial and regenerative ag currently working on projects that integrate academic research, public policy and community outreach. In 2023, he published the book “Making Machines of Animals” with Johns Hopkins University Press.