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Gretchan Francis’ mom lost her family farm to eminent domain in two big pieces.

The first loss of the original 160 acres in Trumbull County happened before Francis was born, when a highway was built in 1970, splitting the property in two. The second time was when an exit ramp was added to that stretch of highway in 1999, when Francis was 19.

For the multi-generational farming family, that final taking was the last straw. The remaining land, the animals, the equipment, and everything else was sold and the family scattered. While Francis was aware of what was happening, she was not in a position to do anything but watch as the farm her mom, Gloria, grew up on suddenly disappeared.

“It broke everybody apart, physically and emotionally,” she said. Her grandfather Peter Peigowski and his brother, Leo Peigowski, had worked the farm together their entire lives. Both have since passed away.

Francis vowed one day to get the farm back. And, two years ago, she did. After expressing her hope of getting back the property from the current owners, she got a call on Christmas Day 2021. They were ready to sell and ready to close at the end of the year.

The 60 acres she bought were mostly vacant, but they were back in the family.

The next step was figuring out how to make the land a farm again. By the end of 2023 she’d built a barn and put a tiny house on the property, running electric to both.

Last year she learned how to drive a tractor and got help planting the first corn and soybeans on the farm in many years. Every step of the way, Francis said she has relied on Ohio Farm Bureau, which she said has been “invaluable” helping to navigate that next step in bringing Peigowski Farm back to life.

Most important to her is sustaining the future of the farm, whatever that future looks like. She’s told her 11-year-old twin boys, Gavin and Griffin, that “I never want to sell this again.” They, and her husband David Yuhas, are all on-board supporting her dream.

Wanting to establish an energy sustainability plan led Francis to Community Energy Advisors and Viridi, Ohio Farm Bureau Energy Program partners.

“I would love to live there,” she said. She and her family currently live 45 minutes away from the farm. “I’ve already planned everything out for future expansion. I’m making a large investment now to help us plan for the future.”

She wants her farm to be self-sufficient from an energy generation standpoint; the Farm Bureau Energy Program is helping her do just that.

“I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau,” Francis said.

Making a plan

Sarah Margelowsky, CEA’s manager of operations, said that Francis had specific services in mind when she contacted the company. She wanted to lower electric bills and have less reliance on the energy grid. The plan was to install a solar array on the barn’s lean-to roof with battery backups.

“Each member who contacts us is unique in their priorities and how they run their farm or business, but one thing is always at the top of their list — lowering operating costs,” said Sarah. “That’s where our team excels. We offer a full suite of solutions to help them find competitive supply rates where applicable, increase their efficiency, and obtain funding for their energy-related projects.”

Francis worked with service partner Viridi and Energy Management Associate Alex Gribble to apply for a REAP grant for the project (see online extra, below).

“Alex and I have worked together and the process has been extremely easy,” Francis said. “She wrote the grant and filled out the paperwork, got quotes for the installation. She’s made it extremely easy.”

The REAP application was submitted March 31, 2024, and is still awaiting approval, according to Gribble.

The estimated value of Francis’ participation in the Farm Bureau Energy Program:

• Solar and battery project will cost $85,000. After REAP (50%) and the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (30%), it will be $25,600.
• The Peigowski Farm system is going to produce about 9,300 kWh per year, which is 113% of usage. The intent is that the excess goes to the battery system (about 2 days’ worth of backup power for the heating/light systems in the office trailer and barn facilities).
• The solar array is estimated to save over $1,000 per year on Francis’ electricity bill.

Online Extra: Solar installations and farmland preservation

“No industrial solar” signs are common along the rural roads in Ohio. The controversy surrounds using prime farmland to locate very large solar installations. There are 13.1 million acres of farmland in Ohio. As of June 2024, the total acreage involved in utility-scale solar projects in Ohio is 94,717 acres.

When it comes to large solar projects, Ohio Farm Bureau policy supports property owners making their own land use decisions. Recent updates to Ohio Farm Bureau policy, however, include language that supports prioritizing solar projects on non-agricultural land or land with limited agricultural value.

This policy leads OFBF’s advocacy efforts to support policies that incentivize or prioritize solar development on non-agricultural land, including brownfields, contaminated lands, rooftops and other suitable areas. While OFBF often intervenes in project certificate cases at the Ohio Power Siting Board, it is for the purpose of ensuring that certain land protections will be included and enforceable should the project move forward. OFBF’s work to negotiate these standards has resulted in the Ohio Power Siting Board staff recommending them as default conditions and are now incorporating them into new regulations. OFBF works with landowners on all sides of this issue – those who wish to work with a solar developer on their farm or those who wish to oppose it in their area. Both interests have the responsibility to be involved in the power siting process. We give each the same assistance in understanding the process and referral to legal counsel as necessary.

Ohio Farm Bureau’s delegates to the American Farm Bureau annual convention also put forth policy to create a study committee that would review the impact of energy development on farmland. American Farm Bureau immediately convened this group, and Ohio Farm Bureau has been actively engaged in the process.

OFBF is also working with many of our state leaders on a newly formed farmland preservation task force to look at the myriad of pressures resulting in the loss of farmland. This group has been called together by the Ohio Director of Agriculture. OFBF will work to make discussions including urban sprawl, housing, warehouses, business development, eminent domain issues, and of course energy/solar development and seek ways to prioritize these projects on non-agricultural land. Along with these policies and actions though, is OFBF’s long standing commitment to private property rights.

Online Extra: REAP can reap real energy savings

USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

Applications for these grants can be taken care of for members with assistance from the Farm Bureau Energy Program and the results can add up to real savings.

To get started, visit ofb.ag/energyprogram.