EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2023

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THE ENERGY ISSUE EASTERN IOWA FARMER PHOTO / TREVIS MAYFIELD David Whitman was one of more than a dozen people who spoke against solar projects in the Grand Mound area in February 2022 during a public meeting at the town’s community center. Whitman’s family farms near the area where an industrial solar installation is planned. On the other side were those who were concerned about the loss of high-quality crop ground and the impact on young farmers, as well as those with concerns about traditional agriculture vistas being interrupted by rows of solar panels, what happens when the project is de-commissioned, and any potential hazards to the community. As the county’s board of supervisors grappled with the decision – they would ultimately approve the project, as well as an expansion the following year – they were guided by a county master plan crafted in the late 1990s. “At that time, wind turbines were just getting started,” said Jim Irwin, the current chairman of the Clinton County Board of Supervisors, reflecting recently on the issue. “Large-scale solar wasn’t even being thought about in the Midwest.” The Grand Mound solar installation is just the tip of the iceberg in Eastern Iowa as the national push for renewable energy picks up steam, and Clinton County seems to be the epi-center. Florida-based NextEra Energy is laying the groundwork for solar and wind operations in the county, and last year ADM announced plans for a partnership with Wolf Carbon Solutions to build Building relationships, one appliance at a time! When looking for appliances, keep service in mind... No one wants a breakdown, but when one happens, we provide you with the service you deserve! Our service technicians have over 25 years of combined service The team, left to right: Brady Doney, Riley Anderson, Steve Anderson,Laura Anderson, and Dave Doney. 606 Main St, Delmar IA Call or Text: (563) 599-0416 Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4, Sat 9-12 www.drappliancellc.com Making house calls since 2016 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK 46 EASTERN IOWA FARMER | FALL 2023 eifarmer.com
THE ENERGY ISSUE a pipeline to transport carbon dioxide produced at its Clinton and Cedar Raids ethanol plants to be sequestered underground in Decatur, Illinois. Part of that 350-mile steel pipeline would run through the county from the corn wet-milling plant on the Mississippi River. While the power to greenlight all of these projects ultimately rests with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), the first glimpse the public gets into them starts at the county level, putting zoning board members, supervisors and the public on the front lines of dissecting the volumes of data and the pros and cons of such projects. ‘Emotional’ issues; legislative questions For people who own or rent farm ground in the footprint of the Grand Mound project, the Hawkeye Solar and Hawkeye Solar II projects have put friends, family and neighbors at odds. “It was emotional for all of us,” Irwin said of himself and the other supervisors who unanimously approved the projects. Ajay Najir Iowa State University He acknowledged the angst it has caused those opposed to them. He has a family member staunchly against the development, and a long-time friend no longer speaks to him because of his vote. The pushback comes with the territory of being an elected official, Irwin said, and when he ran for re-election last year, his vote tally in the Grand Mound area was down. But from his standpoint, the county has a renewable energy ordinance (it was passed about a decade ago before he was on the board), and Ranger Power met or exceeded the terms of that ordinance. And, as he said during the public hearings, he believes the supervisors have an obligation to make decisions based on data and facts, not emotion. Supervisor Dan Srp has said the solar project is one of the most divisive issues he’s dealt with in his nine years on the job, and Supervisor Erin George, who is new to the board this year, said before approving the expansion project that she’d lost sleep over the decision. In her comments before the vote, she said, “One of my fundamental beliefs is property owner rights. I wouldn’t tell a farmer what crop to plant on their land. I wouldn’t say you have to plant beans; I don’t want you to plant corn. I want you to raise cows; I don’t want you to raise pigs. No one property owner’s rights trumps another’s” For the farmer Lydia Whitman, at the core of the issue is taking high-quality land out of production. She was among members of the extended Whitman family who spoke against the project. She said last year that she was concerned about the impact the solar installation Head From To Toe, Dr. randy Burger has you covered. Burger Chiropractic If you have aches and pains from climbing on tractors or a back out of whack from hauling seed bags, I can help you. I also do sports physicals. Burger Shoe Repair While you’re here, leave that favorite pair of worn out work boots for me to resole and bring back to life. I am continuing a 35-year family legacy with my shoe, boot, and leather repair business. I also do medical inserts. Call 563-582-1188 Both businesses are located at 1340 Delhi Street, Dubuque — just down the road from Finley Hospital and across from The American Legion. eifarmer.com FALL 2023 | EASTERN IOWA FARMER 47
Page 1 and 2: The Eastern Iowa Fall 2023 Farmer
Page 3: GEOFF APER Field Sales Representati
Page 6 and 7: The Eastern Iowa Farmer® DIRECTORY
Page 8 and 9: Farmer The Eastern Iowa Fall 2023 A
Page 10 and 11: Bruce and Sherry Ruchotzke are surr
Page 12 and 13: HOBBY FARMS They’re just big pets
Page 14 and 15: HOBBY FARMS gonna do this,” she s
Page 16 and 17: HOBBY FARMS DeWitt’s Night Out th
Page 18 and 19: Customer’s first choice by provid
Page 20 and 21: FOUNDED IN FAITH FORGED IN AMERICA
Page 22 and 23: LEARNING TO BE SELF SUSTAINING Cala
Page 24 and 25: SELF SUSTAINING “(Gardening) was
Page 26 and 27: SELF SUSTAINING Her advice to anyon
Page 28 and 29: SELF SUSTAINING 3. While minute ste
Page 30 and 31: Contact your local Wyffels Hybrids
Page 32 and 33: PLANT More PREDICTABILITY Pivot Bio
Page 34 and 35: HAYMAKERS “I like making hay. A g
Page 36 and 37: HAYMAKERS Heading relies heavily on
Page 38 and 39: BY JENNA STEVENS Ag in the Classroo
Page 40 and 41: AG IN THE CLASSROOM those majoring
Page 42 and 43: Sales and Service www.ApplianceSolu
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Page 48 and 49: Farming is Your Tradition. Providin
Page 50 and 51: THE ENERGY ISSUE million, while Nex
Page 52 and 53: GREG BOPES AFM gbopes@ohnward.com 5
Page 54 and 55: THE ENERGY ISSUE Bob Bowman Bob Bow
Page 56 and 57: FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATI
Page 58 and 59: Left to right: Kale Petersen, Tim S
Page 60 and 61: THE ENERGY ISSUE Living by the Sun
Page 62 and 63: THE ENERGY ISSUE bills consist of o
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Page 66 and 67: THE ENERGY ISSUE Jackson County Ene
Page 68 and 69: THE ENERGY ISSUE ABOUT THE JACKSON
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Page 72 and 73: FALL 2023 SALES DATES FOR... ➢ We
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Page 78 and 79: Turning a lens on our farmer commun
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TARVER FAMILY 2011-2023 peoplescomp
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