The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has solidified its commitment to a resilient future for American farmers and rural communities by prioritizing solar projects with verified shared agricultural use. This policy change aligns with the integration of solar energy and agriculture, known as agrivoltaics. The AFBF’s policy book now endorses solar projects that incorporate shared agricultural use, such as pollinator-friendly solar, grazing opportunities, or crop co-location. This move recognizes the potential for solar development and farming to coexist, providing additional revenue streams for farmers, enhancing land use efficiency, and strengthening rural economies. The Solar and Farming Association (SAFA) has praised the AFBF’s leadership in supporting agrivoltaics, citing its potential to create a balanced approach to renewable energy expansion and farmland preservation. Grassroots efforts by farmers and local Farm Bureaus, such as the Illinois and Indiana Farm Bureaus, have been instrumental in bringing this policy change to the national stage. SAFA looks forward to building coalitions to implement this vision across the country and ensure a cleaner, more sustainable future for America’s farmers and rural communities.
Sorting out America’s energy and food production gets a boost as solar power and agriculture team up for a landmark national policy achievement.
