Agriculture Secretary Releases Guidance For Farms And Rural Communities Considering Solar Energy Production

Dec 30, 2022

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today released guidance for landowners considering solar production on farmland and in rural communities in Pennsylvania. The guidance outlines Wolf Administration support for technologies that create jobs and generate farm income without compromising food and fiber production. Solar energy is climate-smart technology that meets those goals while reducing emissions and helping reduce the negative impacts of climate change.

"Pennsylvania's farmland is a precious resource for producing food, protecting our environment, and feeding our economy," said Redding. "Solar energy production holds tremendous potential for generating electricity to power farm operations and furthering Pennsylvania's transition to a clean-energy future. If carefully planned, well-situated and properly maintained, solar production will not compromise or diminish valuable farmland resources, rather it will enhance them."

Issues to guide business decision-making include:

Sustainable site selection placing priority on roofs, parking lots or brownfields rather than agricultural or forested land, avoiding premium quality soil locations altogether.
Maintenance that protects soil and pollinators through native vegetation free of invasive species; gives priority to grazing vs. mowing, compensating farmers for the service; and includes decommissioning plans to fully restore any soil at a project's completion.
Integration of energy and agricultural production in a way that is complimentary rather than competitive.

The guidance outlines additional considerations for owners of farmland including the impact solar production would have on the farm's enrollment in preferential tax programs, preserved farm status, local zoning, environmental permits and conservation plans and other issues.

Complete guidance, including a list of frequently asked questions and additional resources for going solar, can be found on the department website, agriculture.pa.gov.

For more information on climate-smart strategies for government, community leaders, agriculture and other businesses, visit the Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan. Find more information, funding, and other resources for making your farmland more productive and sustainable on the State Conservation Commission's pages at agriculture.pa.gov.

Source : pa.gov

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.