Counties Balance Farmland Loss and Energy Development Growth

By Andi Anderson

America’s farmland plays a critical role in food production, the economy, and rural communities. However, since 1997, over 75 million acres of farmland have been lost to development, including rising demand from renewable energy projects, especially utility-scale solar.

To help county officials address this growing concern, the National Association of Counties (NACo) released a primer titled “Renewable Energy in Farm Country.” The guide highlights how counties can manage competing land uses while protecting agriculture and supporting clean energy goals.

Counties often hold authority over zoning, permitting, and land use decisions, placing them at the center of complex discussions between property rights, local needs, and federal energy goals. The increasing push for domestic energy production makes local planning even more important.

NACo outlines key findings:

• Rapid growth in renewable energy, especially solar, is fueled by public investment and energy demand from industries like data centers.
• Farmland conversion continues, with nearly one-tenth of U.S. farmland lost since 1997.
• County leaders must balance economic benefits, environmental impacts, and community values when evaluating new energy projects.

To support effective local action, NACo recommends:

• Empowering counties to guide energy siting to less productive or previously used lands, while protecting prime farmland and soil health.
• Preserving local authority in permitting decisions, encouraging developers to consult counties throughout the project’s life.
• Investing in research and best practices, such as agrivoltaics, which combine farming and solar power.
• Requiring developers to meet environmental safeguards protecting water, soil, and long-term land sustainability.

With smart planning, renewable energy can support both economic resilience and agricultural sustainability. County officials are key to shaping a future where energy development and farmland preservation go hand in hand.

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