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Answers
Biomass energy is produced from plants and organic wastes—everything from crops, trees, and crop residues to manure. Crops grown for energy could be produced in large quantities, just as food crops are. While corn is currently the most widely used energy crop, native prairie grasses such as switchgrass or fast-growing trees such as poplar and willow are likely to become the most popular in the future. These perennial crops require less maintenance and fewer inputs than do annual row crops such as corn, so they are cheaper and more sustainable to produce.
Crops and biomass wastes can be converted to energy on the farm or sold to energy companies that produce fuel for cars and tractors and heat and power for homes and businesses. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tripling U.S. use of biomass energy could provide as much as $20 billion in new income for farmers and rural communities and reduce global warming emissions by the same amount as taking 70 million cars off the road. New incentives are available from the federal government and a number of states to help capture these benefits.
Solar energy
The amount of energy from the sun that reaches Earth each day is enormous. All the energy stored in Earth's reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is equal to the energy from only 20 days of sunshine. While desert areas such as Arizona and Nevada get more sun than other parts of the United States, most areas receive enough sunshine to make solar energy practical. Solar energy can be used in agriculture in a number of ways, saving money, increasing self-reliance, and reducing pollution. Solar energy can cut a farm's electricity and heating bills. Solar heat collectors can be used to dry crops and warm homes, livestock buildings, and greenhouses. Solar water heaters can provide hot water for dairy operations, pen cleaning, and homes. Photovoltaics (solar electric panels) can power farm operations and remote water pumps, lights, and electric fences. Buildings and barns can be renovated to capture natural daylight, instead of using electric lights. Solar power is often less expensive than extending power lines.
What you can do
The options that make the most sense for you depend on your local renewable resources, energy markets, and the types of support available from federal and state government. A growing number of states are requiring electricity companies to provide some power from renewable sources, creating new markets. Other states have funds for renewable energy development. Most now allow net metering, which makes it easier and more affordable for farms to generate the power they need from renewables. And many states have companies that sell renewable energy directly to customers.
Several million dollars of federal incentives are also available through the 2002 Farm Bill to invest in renewable energy systems. For more information, go to the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.
UCS can provide you with renewable energy resource maps and tell you what types of markets and support are available or being considered in your state.
The following fact sheets provide more information about agriculture and specific renewable energy sources:
Farming the Wind: Wind Power and Agriculture
Growing Energy on the Farm: Biomass Energy and Agriculture
Up with the Sun: Solar Energy and Agriculture
Wind energy, Biomass energy, and Solar power.
Explanation:
A growing number of farmers and ranchers are supplementing their income by capturing the wind that blows over their land and converting it into power. In addition, new alternatives are becoming accessible. Farming and renewable energy are a good combo. Renewable energy sources such as wind, sun, and biomass may be harvested indefinitely, providing farmers with a long-term source of revenue. Renewable energy can be utilised to replace other fuels on the farm or sold as a "cash crop."
Wind energy
Wind power has long been utilised on farms to pump water and produce energy. Wind developers have recently placed enormous wind turbines on farms and ranches in many states to supply power to electric companies and customers. Because each turbine takes up less than half an acre, farmers may cultivate crops and graze cattle directly next to the turbine. Some farmers have acquired wind turbines, and others are forming wind power cooperatives.
Biomass power
Plants and organic wastes—everything from crops, trees, and agricultural leftovers to manure—are used to generate biomass energy. Crops planted for energy, like food crops, might be produced in vast quantities. While maize is now the most extensively utilised energy crop, natural prairie grasses like switchgrass or fast-growing trees like poplar and willow are expected to take over in the future. These perennial crops require less care and inputs than annual row crops like maize, making them less expensive and more sustainable to grow. Crops and biomass waste can be turned to energy on the farm or sold to energy firms, who create fuel for vehicles and tractors, as well as heat and power for homes and businesses.
Solar power
The quantity of solar energy that reaches Earth each day is huge. All of the energy contained in the world's reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is equivalent to the energy produced by only 20 days of sunlight. Solar energy may be utilised in agriculture in a variety of ways to save money, increase self-sufficiency, and reduce pollution. Solar energy has the potential to reduce a farm's power and heating costs. Solar heat collectors can be used to dry crops as well as heat homes, animal barns, and greenhouses.
What you could do
The solutions that make the most sense for you are determined by your local renewable resources, energy markets, and the sorts of federal and state government assistance available.