New policy protects food security and limits subsidized solar projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new actions to protect productive farmland and strengthen national food security. “Our prime farmland should not be wasted and replaced with green new deal subsidized solar panels. It has been disheartening to see our beautiful farmland displaced by solar projects, especially in rural areas that have strong agricultural heritage. One of the largest barriers of entry for new and young farmers is access to land. Subsidized solar farms have made it more difficult for farmers to access farmland by making it more expensive and less available,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We are no longer allowing businesses to use your taxpayer dollars to fund solar projects on prime American farmland, and we will no longer allow solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries to be used in our USDA-funded projects.
The announcement highlighted recent land trends. Tennessee has lost more than 1.2 million acres of farmland over the last three decades and could lose 2 million acres by 2027. Nationwide, the presence of solar panels on farmland has grown by nearly 50 percent since 2012. Leaders said these pressures make it harder for new and young farmers to enter agriculture.
USDA also outlined immediate program changes. Under the Rural Development Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program, wind and solar projects are no longer eligible. For the Rural Energy for America Program Guaranteed Loan Program, the department will ensure renewables on farms are right-sized to match on-site needs. Ground-mount solar photovoltaic systems larger than 50 kilowatts, or systems that cannot document historical energy usage, will not be eligible. Priority points will no longer be awarded for REAP grants.
Officials emphasized that the policy aims to focus taxpayer resources on food production, protect rural economies, and promote domestic supply chains. They said preserving prime farmland for crops and livestock is essential to food security and national security. Supporters also stressed that future renewable projects should avoid displacing productive soils and should rely on American-made equipment when federal programs are involved.
Producers interested in energy efficiency or smaller, on-site renewable systems can pursue options that fit the new standards. USDA encouraged stakeholders to review program guidance and work with local offices to understand eligibility details. The department said these safeguards will help keep high-quality farmland in production while balancing on-farm energy needs and resilient rural development. The department will monitor outcomes, gather feedback, and adjust guidance as needed to sustain farms and strengthen rural communities nationwide.
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