Strengthening support for landowners navigating renewable energy decisions
The Renewable Energy Farmers of America (REFA) and Farm-To-Power (FTP) have formalized a strategic partnership to better serve farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country. Both organizations are built by and for agricultural landowners. Both believe renewable energy decisions should be made by the people who own the land. And both are committed to providing education and support without pushing an agenda.
This partnership brings together two organizations with complementary strengths. One focuses on building community trust, while the other supports individual landowners. Together, they help cover the full spectrum of what landowners need.
Why This Partnership Matters
Renewable energy is growing across rural America. Solar and wind projects are being proposed in counties that have never seen them before. For landowners approached about hosting a project, the learning curve can be steep. For communities watching development unfold, the conversation can quickly become polarized.
Farmers and ranchers deserve better than having to choose between developer marketing materials and opposition websites. They deserve independent voices that understand agriculture and respect their autonomy to make their own decisions.
This partnership is designed to provide that kind of support. Farm-To-Power and REFA share common ground: deep roots in agriculture, commitment to education and a belief that renewable energy can be a tool for rural economic opportunity when landowners choose it on their own terms. But each organization serves a distinct purpose.
Farm-To-Power: Building Community Understanding
Farm-To-Power is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on community education and trust-building. Led by Iowa farmer and former Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Joe Heinrich, FTP works at the grassroots level to help shape more informed conversations around renewable energy in rural communities.
FTP provides:
- Educational workshops and community forums
- Stories from farmers and ranchers with firsthand project experience
- Information about federal and state programs like USDA offerings
- A platform for agricultural voices in the renewable energy conversation
The organization remains fully independent, ensuring its educational mission stays focused on farmers and ranchers rather than project outcomes.
Currently, FTP operates in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Wisconsin.
“Farmers trust other farmers,” said Joe Heinrich, executive director of FTP. “That is the foundation of everything we do at Farm-To-Power. This partnership with REFA means that when a landowner moves from asking questions about renewable energy to evaluating a specific lease offer, they have somewhere to turn. REFA shares our commitment to putting landowners first, and together we can serve rural communities more completely than either organization could alone.”
In practical terms, FTP focuses on the community conversation, while REFA supports the individual decisions that follow.
“At REFA, we focus on helping individual landowners navigate the specifics of renewable energy contracts and protect their property rights,” said Jeff Risley, executive director of REFA. “But we know that community context matters too. Farm-To-Power does exceptional work building understanding and trust at the local level. This partnership allows us to connect landowners with the right resources at the right time, whether they need community education or individual support.”
For landowners navigating renewable energy decisions, this partnership means more resources and clearer pathways to support.
If you are trying to understand what renewable energy development means for your community, Farm-To-Power offers workshops, stories from fellow farmers and independent educational resources.
If you have received a lease offer and need help evaluating it, or if you want to understand how your land may fit into development or how a project could impact your operation, REFA provides non-legal lease review support, peer connections and professional guidance.
For many landowners, both perspectives matter. This partnership makes it easier to access the full spectrum of resources available.
