Utility-scale solar projects have been expanding across New
York because of a need for renewable energy development due to changes in
policies at the state level. Farmers and landowners are being approached with
exploratory offers to lease (or purchase) their land for solar development.
Leases can provide extra income to landowners, but this leasing decision can
affect the property for many years. Many concerns exist and questions
remain unanswered.
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Oswego
County hosted an online workshop to discuss some of the implications
of solar sitting on farmland and how we can support renewable energy while
protecting agricultural lands. This is the first of a two-part series
organized by CCE of Oswego on the impact that climate change is having on the agriculture
sector. Speakers include David Kay, Sr. Extension Associate in the Department of Global
Development at Cornell University, Katie Malinowski, Executive Director with the NYS
Tug Hill Commission and Alaina Mallette, Planner for the NYS Tug Hill Commission. This free online workshop was held through Zoom on
Thursday, May 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. and was open to all
members of the general public.
For more information on this two-part series please contact
Joshua Vrooman, Agricultural Community Educator for CCE of Oswego County at jwv33@cornell.edu
or 315-963-7286 ext. 200.
Cornell
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