Key Takeaways
- American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) updates policy book to prioritize solar projects with verified agricultural use.
- Agrivoltaics, or shared solar-agriculture land use, gains support from state Farm Bureaus across the country.
- The policy encourages pollinator-friendly solar, grazing, and crop co-location to preserve farmland productivity.
- SAFA and industry leaders highlight agrivoltaics as a tool for economic resilience and farmland sustainability.
- The decision reflects growing farmer-led support for integrating renewable energy with agriculture.
Farm Bureau Recognizes Agrivoltaics as a Rural Development Strategy
The Solar and Farming Association (SAFA) has announced a significant policy milestone following the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) convention in San Antonio, Texas. Delegates voted to include solar projects with shared agricultural use in the AFBF’s policy book, reinforcing support for home-grown renewable energy while preserving farmland.
This update enables state Farm Bureaus to endorse agrivoltaic projects, which integrate solar energy production with active farming practices such as:
- Pollinator-friendly solar to support biodiversity.
- Grazing integration, allowing livestock to roam under solar panels.
- Crop co-location, where food production continues alongside solar installations.
Lucy Bullock-Sieger, Vice President of Strategy at Lightstar and SAFA co-founder, stated: “This milestone demonstrates the growing recognition that solar development and farming can, and should, coexist. By adopting agrivoltaics policies, the Farm Bureau has solidified its commitment to a resilient future for America’s farmers and rural communities.”
A Vision for Rural Growth and Renewable Energy
The policy shift reflects increasing support for agrivoltaics as a dual-use solution that strengthens rural economies and land efficiency. By integrating solar energy with agriculture, these projects:
✔ Generate additional revenue for farmers, reducing reliance on volatile commodity prices.
✔ Enhance land use efficiency, ensuring farms remain productive while contributing to clean energy goals.
✔ Support local economies, creating new jobs and investment opportunities.
SAFA praised the Illinois and Indiana Farm Bureaus for their leadership in advancing this policy at the national level.
Matt Riggs, a farmer from Champaign County, IL, shared: “I see agrivoltaics as a way to deliver reliable, superior profitability to farming operations of all sizes. Adding another income stream to a farm is more important than ever, given the current down cycle in grain markets. Agrivoltaics could be this generation’s best tool for ensuring family farmers’ independence and survival.”
Advancing Rural Partnerships for Implementation
Beyond policy recognition, SAFA views this as a call to action for collaboration between:
- Farming communities and agricultural organizations.
- Solar developers and landowners interested in agrivoltaic projects.
- Land grant universities and policymakers to research and support best practices.
Mike Marsch, Chief Development Officer at BlueWave and SAFA co-founder, emphasized: “America’s farmland is one of our most valuable resources, and this policy ensures that farmers have a seat at the clean energy table. Investing in agrivoltaics is an investment in rural livelihoods and a secure future for generations to come.”
