Cows in front of two wind turbines

For centuries, society has combined harnessing the power of wind with agriculture. Whether it's grinding grain, moving water or powering our homes, wind and agriculture have coexisted throughout the centuries. 

Why it matters: Each wind turbine uses less than one acre of land, allowing landowners to continue using their land to raise livestock. 

  • Diversifying income: Ranchers lease a portion of their property for wind turbines which provide a consistent source of income through challenging times. 

  • Preserving family land: The increased financial stability helps family-owned land to be passed onto the next generation. 

Single turbine in a field

Siting a turbine: Deciding upon the perfect location for a wind turbine is not as simple as finding an open pasture.  Many factors are included in siting each turbine. 

  • Strength of the wind. 

  • Landowners willing to participate in a project. 

  • Avoiding environmentally sensitive areas.

We work with landowners when siting wind turbines to minimize impacts to ranching operations as much as possible. 

  • A typical turbine site takes about a 50 x 50-foot graveled area. Farm animals can graze immediately below a wind turbine, because even at the bottom of its swing, the rotor blade is generally more than 75 feet above the ground. 

  • We do our best to design around existing tiling and have a robust process for solving issues that may arise, even after construction. 

  • We review the siting of all infrastructure with the landowner prior to construction to evaluate if adjustments can be made to better accommodate farming practices.  

  • We meet all regulatory requirements and work with the community to ensure we select the most appropriate sites for generating wind energy. 

While wind energy is compatible with agriculture - it is also quickly becoming an important component of farm viability in many areas around the globe.

With advancements in technology, wind energy is more efficient, and projects like Jackalope Wind are helping provide energy to communities nationwide. This clean energy source plays a role in helping us reduce our dependence on foreign oil while living with the land.