News from the Field
May 14, 2026
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Community & Local Issues
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Louisiana residents push back on Entergy’s 200-megawatt solar farm plan.
Plaquemine residents oppose plans for solar farm along Belleview Road
Unknown Author • 5/4/2026
Louisiana
What it is:
- Entergy hosted a public meeting in Plaquemine where residents voiced opposition to the planned Cypress Harvest Solar Project on 1,660 acres west of town along La. 75.
- Concerns raised included impacts on emergency evacuation routes and the conversion of farmland to solar use.
Why it matters:
- Community opposition can slow or block solar project approvals, directly affecting landowners who have signed or are considering lease agreements.
- This case illustrates how neighbor and public sentiment become critical factors in whether a solar project on farmland ultimately gets built.
What’s next: Entergy must address community concerns through the regulatory process before the Cypress Harvest Solar Project can advance toward construction.
REFA’s Perspective: Community opposition is a real part of the solar development landscape, and farmers considering leases need to understand how local sentiment can shape project outcomes. Knowing that neighbors may push back helps landowners prepare for those conversations and engage proactively rather than being caught off guard.
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East Windsor farmers face community pushback as solar dominates local agricultural land.
Solar vs. farmland: A small Connecticut town says it’s carrying too much of the load
Dong • 5/4/2026
Connecticut
What it is:
- East Windsor, CT hosts 7 solar arrays generating nearly 26% of all megawatts approved by the Connecticut Siting Council statewide
- Town officials say solar developers have consumed hundreds of acres of historically agricultural land, targeting flat, clear farmland
Why it matters:
- Farmers leasing land for solar income may face growing community opposition and local political pressure as solar concentration increases
- Developer preference for flat agricultural land signals continued strong demand – representing real economic opportunity for landowners who want it
What’s next: Local officials are likely to pursue restrictions on future solar approvals, which could limit landowner options in Connecticut agricultural communities.
REFA’s Perspective: Farmers have every right to lease their land for solar income, but community opposition can create political headwinds that eventually restrict those choices. This story is a reminder that when solar development concentrates heavily in agricultural areas, local backlash tends to follow – and that backlash can lead to policies that limit future landowner options. Understanding your community’s climate around solar is part of making a well-informed decision for your operation.
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Michigan township votes to formally block solar farm spanning two townships.
Zeeland Township board passes resolution opposing RWE solar farm application
Alina Hauter • 5/1/2026
Michigan
What it is:
- Zeeland Township Board unanimously approved spending up to $100,000 on contested case proceedings against RWE’s Silver Maple Solar project, which spans Zeeland and Jamestown Townships.
- Both townships are seeking formal intervenor status before the Michigan Public Service Commission, which is currently reviewing RWE’s application.
Why it matters:
- Organized township opposition through the state’s contested case process can significantly delay or derail solar projects, directly threatening income for landowners who have already signed leases.
- Understanding how local governments can formally intervene in state permitting helps landowners anticipate project risks before signing lease agreements.
What’s next: The June 4 MPSC pre-hearing will determine whether both townships gain formal intervenor status, setting the stage for a contested case that could slow or block the project.
REFA’s Perspective: Township-level opposition through state contested case proceedings is a real risk landowners with solar leases need to understand – delays and cancellations can cost you expected income. Michigan’s intervenor process gives local governments a formal seat at the table, which is why community relations matter from day one of any project. If you are considering a solar lease, ask your developer directly how they are engaging with local officials before you sign.
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York County landowners face proposed solar zoning rules amid intense community opposition.
Dozens testify on York County solar zoning rules – Worldnews.com
System • 4/29/2026
Nebraska
What it is:
- York County commissioners held a public hearing on proposed solar zoning rules affecting farmland.
- Protesters gathered outside the courthouse while the meeting room and overflow areas filled with testifiers.
Why it matters:
- New zoning rules could define or restrict where solar farms are permitted on agricultural land, directly shaping what landowners can do with their own property.
- Strong community opposition signals a contentious local environment that landowners considering solar leases should monitor closely.
What’s next: County commissioners will weigh public testimony before finalizing any solar zoning regulations that could affect landowner options.
REFA’s Perspective: Local zoning fights like this one in York County are exactly where landowner rights get won or lost. If you farm in this area, showing up and making your voice heard in these hearings matters. REFA believes landowners deserve the right to make their own decisions about solar opportunities on their land without overly restrictive local rules standing in the way.
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Property Rights & Policy
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Iowa Supreme Court affirms county authority to restrict wind energy projects.
Iowa Supreme Court says Worth County can limit wind turbine project – Worldnews.com
System • 4/27/2026
Iowa
What it is:
- The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Worth County has the legal authority to impose limitations on a $300 million wind turbine project.
- A separate Madison County wind farm also faces local opposition from residents and the Madison County Coalition for Scenic Preservation.
Why it matters:
- Iowa landowners with existing or planned wind leases now face greater risk of project limitations or cancellations if their county chooses to act.
- This ruling sets a legal precedent that could embolden Iowa counties statewide to use land use regulations to restrict or block wind development.
What’s next: Iowa landowners should monitor how their county commissioners respond to this ruling and whether new zoning restrictions on wind projects are introduced.
REFA’s Perspective: This ruling is a real concern for Iowa farmers who have signed or are considering wind leases – county authority to override development can directly undermine your ability to benefit from your own land. REFA urges Iowa landowners to get engaged now with their county commissioners and make clear that the right to host renewable energy on your property must be respected. Know your county’s zoning rules and don’t wait until a restriction is already on the books to speak up.
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A Berne farmer says local solar delays are blocking his property rights.
People often value the idea of farmland more than what it takes to sustain it
Dong • 5/1/2026
New York
What it is:
- A Berne, NY farmer writes that he wants to lease a small portion of family farmland for solar while keeping the rest as working cattle and hay ground.
- He argues the town’s prolonged solar law process has crossed from due diligence into an unclear, drawn-out delay that undermines local property rights.
Why it matters:
- Local regulatory delays can effectively block a landowner’s right to choose how to use their own property, even when that choice preserves the working farm.
- This letter illustrates that solar leasing and active agriculture are not mutually exclusive – farmers can do both on their own terms.
What’s next: The town of Berne is still deliberating its solar law, and the outcome will determine whether this farmer and others can move forward with solar leases on their land.
REFA’s Perspective: This farmer’s story echoes what REFA hears from landowners across the country – someone ready to make a careful, informed decision about their own land, only to be stalled by a local process that has no clear end. Property rights mean the right to act, not just the right to wait. REFA stands with farmers who want to explore solar on their own terms while keeping their land in agriculture.
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REFA’s Wayne Greier spotlights how local solar bans rob farmers of options.
Local solar bans leave farmers with few options – Worldnews.com
System • 4/25/2026
Ohio
What it is:
- REFA member Wayne Greier of Canfield, Ohio is featured in a national story illustrating how local solar bans are cutting off farmers from renewable energy income opportunities.
- The article uses Greier’s farm as a personal, on-the-ground example of the real human cost when township-level ordinances block landowners from leasing their land for solar development.
Why it matters:
- Local solar bans are a direct assault on property rights – they remove a farmer’s fundamental freedom to decide how their own land generates income and supports their family’s future.
- When communities ban solar outright, farmers like Wayne are left with fewer tools to survive tight margins, aging equipment, and unpredictable harvests – stories like this make that cost visible to a national audience.
What’s next: As this story gains national attention, farmers and advocates should watch for momentum toward state-level preemption legislation in Ohio that would restore landowner rights to participate in solar leasing.
REFA’s Perspective: We are proud and humbled that our own Wayne Greier’s story is reaching a national audience. His experience watching his son work the fields while solar opportunities are blocked by local ordinances captures exactly why REFA exists. Local solar bans are not a zoning technicality; they are a violation of a farmer’s right to make decisions about their own land, and Wayne’s voice gives that fight a face and a family. REFA stands firmly with Wayne and every landowner being shut out by these restrictions.
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Virginia supervisor invokes property rights to defend farmers’ solar freedom.
‘BO’ CALLS ‘BULL CRAP’
[email protected] • 4/22/2026
Virginia
What it is:
- Nottoway County, VA supervisors voted 3-2 to approve a Siting Agreement with solar firm Ampliform for the 100 MW Rocky Ford Solar project, followed by a 4-0 Performance Agreement vote.
- Supervisor Bo Toth argued that restrictive solar setbacks mirror past hog farm bans that undermined true agricultural land ownership, while opponents cited erosion and visual impact concerns.
Why it matters:
- The debate is a clear example of how local setback ordinances and neighbor opposition can strip landowners of their right to use their own property for renewable energy.
- Supervisors’ property rights arguments – ‘If you tell somebody they can’t do it, do they truly own their land?’ – offer farmers a powerful framework when facing similar local opposition.
What’s next: The Rocky Ford Solar project must still receive a county zoning permit before construction can begin.
REFA’s Perspective: REFA believes that willing landowners have the right to benefit from their land, and this Virginia county’s debate is a reminder that those rights must be actively defended at the local level. If your county is debating solar setbacks, show up, speak up, and know that your right to choose what happens on your land is worth fighting for.
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Solar Development
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Tennessee solar ranch shows cattle and solar panels can coexist profitably.
‘Help cattle producers hold onto their land and livelihoods’: This first-of-its-kind solar ranch in Tennessee … – Worldnews.com
System • 5/4/2026
Tennessee
What it is:
- A first-of-its-kind Tennessee solar farm integrates active cattle grazing beneath adjustable solar panels.
- The project is positioned as an income diversification model as agricultural revenues decline nationally.
Why it matters:
- Cattle ranchers can explore dual-use agrivoltaic leases that preserve grazing operations while adding solar income.
- Adjustable panel technology suggests landowners may have more flexibility to negotiate operations-friendly lease terms.
What’s next: Watch for expanded coverage of this project’s financial and operational results, which could set a blueprint for cattle-solar lease negotiations across the country.
REFA’s Perspective: This is exactly the kind of model REFA wants landowners to know exists – solar development that works alongside your cattle operation, not against it. Agrivoltaic projects are gaining traction, and knowing they are possible gives you real negotiating power when a developer comes knocking.
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Meta’s solar deal signals growing corporate demand for Arkansas farmland leases.
EDP Renewables Signs Agreement with Meta for 250 MW of Solar Energy in Arkansas
EDP • 5/4/2026
Arkansas
What it is:
- EDP Renewables North America and Meta signed a long-term PPA for Cypress Knee Solar, a 250 MW project in Chicot County, Arkansas
- This is Meta’s third solar agreement with EDPR NA, bringing their combined total to 545 MW across the U.S.
Why it matters:
- Corporate tech giants are actively driving solar development into Arkansas, expanding lease opportunities for area landowners
- The project illustrates the tangible community economic benefits solar hosting can bring – $25 million projected for Chicot County plus hundreds of construction jobs
What’s next: Cypress Knee Solar is on track for completion by 2028, and Meta’s expanding renewable portfolio suggests continued developer activity and potential land lease opportunities for Arkansas landowners.
REFA’s Perspective: Deals like this one show that big corporate energy buyers are actively seeking solar in states like Arkansas – and that means landowners in the region may be hearing from developers soon. Understanding what these projects mean for your community and your land is exactly why REFA exists – so you can negotiate from a position of knowledge and confidence.
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Wind Development
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19 Washington farmers call renewable energy lease payments their agricultural lifeline.
Farmers see Horse Heaven wind and solar project as ag’s salvation – Worldnews.com
System • 4/29/2026
Washington
What it is:
- Farmers in the Horse Heaven Hills area of southeast Washington are publicly defending Scout Clean Energy’s large-scale wind and solar project against claims it harms agriculture.
- Nineteen farmers and landowners filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the Washington Supreme Court supporting the project.
Why it matters:
- Participating landowners say lease payments are financially sustaining their farming operations, directly countering anti-renewable narratives that pit agriculture against clean energy.
- The Supreme Court case could set a precedent affecting landowners’ rights to enter renewable energy agreements in Washington.
What’s next: The Washington Supreme Court will review the case, with its ruling potentially shaping future landowner rights to host wind and solar projects in the state.
REFA’s Perspective: This is a great story – farmers standing up in court to defend their right to benefit from renewable energy on their own land. When 19 landowners collectively tell a state Supreme Court that lease payments are saving their farms, that is powerful real-world proof that renewables and agriculture are partners, not rivals. Know your rights, and do not let others decide what is best for your land and your livelihood.
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Approved wind expansion promises landowner payments and $100M in regional benefits.
Bent Tree North Wind Project Approved
Alex Beld • 4/21/2026
MinnesotaWisconsin
What it is:
- Alliant Energy received unanimous approval in both Minnesota and Wisconsin for the 153 MW Bent Tree North Wind expansion, adding 32 turbines to a farm operating since 2011
- The cross-state project required dual regulatory approval since it is sited in Minnesota but delivers power to Wisconsin customers
Why it matters:
- Landowner payments are explicitly cited as part of the projected $100 million in local economic benefits over the project’s roughly 30-year life, illustrating the long-term income potential of wind hosting agreements
- The dual-state approval process is a useful example of the regulatory complexity farmers should understand when evaluating wind development proposals on land near state lines
What’s next: The project moves toward construction, bringing landowner lease payments, tax revenue, and construction wages to the Minnesota host community.
REFA’s Perspective: Projects like Bent Tree North are a concrete reminder that wind development delivers real, long-term income directly to landowners who host turbines. The dual-state approval process here is worth understanding if your land sits near a state line or if you are evaluating a wind proposal that crosses regulatory jurisdictions. Knowing how these approvals work puts farmers in a stronger position when negotiating and planning for renewable energy on their land.
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Clear zoning rules unlock wind opportunities on agricultural land.
Flickertail Wind files application for zoning ordinance amendments
Nathan Price • 2/9/2026
North Dakota
What it is:
- Flickertail Wind withdrew their third permit application in North Dakota, now requesting 24+ county ordinance amendments
- Developer wants wind energy explicitly allowed in agricultural zoning districts without conditional use permits
Why it matters:
- Clearer ordinances make it easier for farmers to host wind projects without regulatory uncertainty
- Shows how zoning barriers can delay projects and why landowners should engage in local ordinance development
What’s next: Eddy County Zoning Commission meets February 9 to review the proposed amendments.
REFA’s Perspective: This case shows why landowners must stay engaged with local zoning processes – unclear ordinances can block profitable wind opportunities on your agricultural land. When developers face regulatory uncertainty, projects get delayed and landowners lose income potential. REFA encourages farmers to work with counties to create clear, landowner-friendly wind ordinances that protect your rights while enabling renewable energy success.
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Renewable Energy Farmers of America
800 Roosevelt Road, Building C – Suite 312, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630.299.8615
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