Article

The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects a 50% increase in electricity generation by 2050, leading to increased interest in farmland for energy development. American Farmland Trust estimates over 10 million acres will be needed for solar by 2050, with 3,000 solar projects covering 7.25 million acres from 2012 to 2020, 70% of which were on productive farmland in the Midwest.

This creates competition for land between farmers and energy developers, particularly in Illinois, where 56% of farmland is rented. Proposed projects, like Hut 8's 500-megawatt data center in Logan County, raise concerns about water usage and land quality. Farmers are encouraged to engage in local planning to balance energy needs with farmland preservation.