WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) today introduced the Protecting American Farmland Act, which would prohibit federal funds from being allocated toward solar projects on prime farmland. Representatives Warren Davidson (OH-08) and Harriet Hageman (WY-AL) joined Congressman Taylor in the introduction of this bill.
“Our Nation must be energy independent, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of producing food to feed our families,” said Congressman Taylor. “America has been blessed with the best farmland in the world, and the federal government should not be incentivizing prime farmland being taken out of production. With nearly 50% of farmland expected to transfer hands in the next two decades, Congress must ensure our next generation has access to America’s farmland. Our farmers are the backbone of rural America, and I am proud to introduce this bill to ensure our food security and keep our prime farmland in production.”
“Farmers in Ohio aren’t strangers to the pressures brought by rapid land conversion,” said Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association. “Since 2002, an estimated 1 million acres of Ohio’s farmland have been converted to other uses, including solar generation facilities. Introducing this legislation puts Congressman Taylor in the leading ranks of those looking to jump-start a long-overdue debate.”
“Federal subsidies for solar are enabling solar companies to make enormous land lease offers well beyond what farmers can earn from their farming operation. It’s hard to blame a landowner who takes that deal,” said President Rusty Goebel of the Ohio Soybean Association. “However, this impacts the farmland marketplace by driving up farmland rent and purchase prices. Congressman Taylor’s bill will reestablish balance between the need for preserving some of the world’s most productive farmland and the goal of a diversified energy portfolio.”
The full bill text is available here.
