Why Solar and EVs Are Needed For America’s Struggling Farmers

On April 13, 2026, AP reported that Ohio farmer Wayne Greier wanted a solar farm on his land, which would have brought him about $540,000 in lease payments every year. Local officials blocked it in 2023 under an Ohio state law. Greier, who was facing a heavy medical debt, had to sell part of his land to stay afloat, due to the blocking of solar on his land.

The U.S. administration’s hostility to green energy has battered the industry by wiping away subsidies, loans and tax incentives. But the opposition to green energy is local as well.

A growing number of large solar projects are running into resistance across rural parts of the United States, where farmland is increasingly being targeted for utility-scale energy development. While solar expansion is seen as essential for meeting clean energy goals, many local communities are pushing back, raising concerns about land use, environmental impact, and changes to rural character.

Farmers and landowners are often offered long-term leases that can provide steady income, especially in regions where agriculture faces economic pressure. However, critics argue that converting productive farmland into solar installations could affect food production and alter landscapes that have remained unchanged for generations.

Local governments are now at the center of these disputes. In many cases, zoning boards and county officials are being asked to weigh economic benefits against community concerns. Some jurisdictions have responded by tightening regulations or placing temporary bans on new solar developments while they reassess land use policies.

Supporters of solar projects point out that renewable energy infrastructure is necessary to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and address climate change. They also note that solar installations can coexist with certain types of agriculture, such as grazing, and can be removed after their operational lifespan.

The debate highlights a broader challenge facing the clean energy transition. Expanding renewable power requires large amounts of land, and balancing national energy goals with local priorities is proving complex. As demand for solar continues to grow, conflicts between developers and rural communities are likely to intensify, forcing policymakers to find more consistent frameworks for siting and approval.

The Iran War is Hurting America’s Farmers, Due to High Diesel and Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices

The price of key agricultural needs such as diesel fuel and nitrogen fertilizer has soared since the Strait of Hormuz has been choked off amid the war in Iran. Nebraska Public Media reported this news on May 4, 2026.

Rising costs for key farm inputs are putting increasing financial pressure on U.S. farmers, with economists warning that the strain could persist for months. Prices for fertilizer and fuel have climbed sharply, cutting into already tight profit margins and creating uncertainty as growers plan for upcoming planting and harvest cycles.

Fertilizer, a critical component for maintaining crop yields, has seen particularly steep increases. Global supply disruptions, energy market volatility, and geopolitical tensions have all contributed to the surge. At the same time, diesel fuel prices remain elevated, raising the cost of operating machinery, transporting goods, and managing day-to-day farm operations.

Economists say farmers are facing difficult decisions as a result. Some may reduce fertilizer use, which could lower crop yields, while others might shift to less input-intensive crops. In some cases, producers are delaying purchases in hopes that prices will stabilize, though that strategy carries its own risks.

The financial pressure is not limited to large operations. Smaller farms are often more vulnerable to price swings and may have fewer resources to absorb the added costs. Lenders and agricultural advisors are urging caution, emphasizing the importance of managing cash flow and locking in prices where possible.

While commodity prices for crops like corn and soybeans have remained relatively strong, they may not fully offset the higher input expenses. Economists caution that if elevated costs continue, the impact could ripple through the broader food system, potentially affecting prices for consumers as well.

The situation underscores how closely tied agriculture is to global markets. Input costs, energy prices, and international events all play a role in shaping farm economics, leaving producers to navigate a complex and unpredictable landscape.

John Deere’s Electric Tractor

John Deere is advancing the future of farming with the development of electric tractor technology, signaling a shift toward quieter, cleaner, and more efficient agricultural equipment. As the industry looks to reduce emissions and operating costs, electrification is emerging as a practical path forward.

Electric tractors offer several advantages over traditional diesel-powered machines. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, require less maintenance due to fewer moving parts, and operate with significantly lower noise levels. These benefits are especially valuable for farms located near residential areas or operations that run during early or late hours.

One of the primary challenges remains battery capacity and charging infrastructure. Farming tasks often demand long hours and high power output, which can strain current battery technology. To address this, manufacturers are exploring ways to optimize energy use, improve battery performance, and integrate charging solutions that fit seamlessly into daily farm operations.

John Deere’s work in this space builds on its broader investment in precision agriculture and advanced machinery. By combining electrification with digital tools, automation, and data-driven insights, the company aims to enhance productivity while reducing environmental impact.

Electric tractors are still in the early stages of adoption, but interest is growing. As technology improves and infrastructure expands, these machines could become a key component of modern agriculture, helping farmers meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Farmers Can Benefit from EVs and Renewable Energy

Electric tractors and farm equipment represent a practical evolution in modern agriculture, offering both economic and operational advantages. By replacing diesel engines with electric drivetrains, farmers can significantly reduce fuel costs and exposure to volatile energy markets, while also lowering maintenance requirements due to fewer moving parts and no need for oil changes or complex engine systems. Electric systems deliver instant torque, which is well suited for heavy-duty tasks like hauling, tilling, and lifting, often improving performance efficiency in the field.

In addition, eliminating tailpipe emissions helps reduce a farm’s environmental footprint and can support compliance with tightening air quality regulations, particularly in regions like California. Noise reduction is another meaningful benefit, enabling longer operating hours with less disruption to workers, livestock, and nearby communities. As battery technology improves and charging infrastructure expands, electric farm equipment is becoming an increasingly viable solution that aligns cost savings, performance, and sustainability in a single platform.

America’s struggling farmers can benefit from electric tractors, other electric farming equipment, and renewable energy. That is, if the misguided federal government and misguided local opponents get out of the way.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said: “Solar energy technologies and power plants do not produce air pollution or greenhouse gases when operating. Using solar energy can help the environment indirectly when solar energy replaces energy sources that produce harmful emissions. Although using solar energy technologies is generally environmentally friendly, producing and disposing of solar energy technologies have some effect on the environment.”

EIA continued: “Solar energy technologies require materials, such as metal and glass, that take a lot of energy to produce. The environmental impact related to producing these materials could be associated with the environmental impact of solar energy systems. Studies have shown that a photovoltaic (PV) system can produce energy equal to the energy used to manufacture it within 1 to 4 years. Most PV systems operate for 30 years or more, which means they continue to operate long after the initial energy investment is repaid.”

So the key takeaway here is that solar, while not completely eco friendly, is the best, cleanest energy option we have at the moment.

Local solar opponents, would you rather have a polluting fossil fuel power plant, or dangerous nuclear plant in your community rather than solar? Your blocking Ohio farmer Wayne Greier from having solar to keep his farm and pay medical bills was shameful and unnecessary.

Some critics of renewables say nuclear is the answer. To them, I point out that in my home county of San Diego, California, the San Onofre Nuclear plant has stored dangerous radioactive waste that the U.S. government was supposed to start picking up in 1998. This waste has endangered the lives of me and my fellow citizens of San Diego County, numbering over 3 million, for 28 years. This is not just a San Diego problem, but a nationwide one, as many other such examples exist.