The Vermilion County Farm Bureau hosted an online meeting Monday evening to help protect rights of members who may be considering signing wind farm or solar agreements. Spokesman Tom Fricke says the Farm Bureau is remaining neutral on whether farmers should enter into an agreement, but wants to protect the rights of those considering it. Fricke says there has been interest in setting up new wind or solar developments in the Ridge Farm, Fairmount and Hoopeston areas.
Illinois Farm Bureau attorneys Garrett Thalgott and Laura Harmon outlined information which should be included in any agreement that is signed. ‘’A couple of companies are soliciting farmers in Vermilion County long term,’’ said Harmon. She said farmers need to make a list of everything they are giving up, and make sure companies are paying them for those items. Farmers were told that not only is there a footprint of the wind farm, but other things could affect farming operations such as transmission lines, roads and maintenance buildings.
Harmon also cautioned farmers to make sure there is a catchall provision in the contract that allows the farmers to continue to farm, harvest crops and hunt on their property.
Before any new wind farm could be developed in the county the developer would have to submit an application to the Vermilion County Structural Safety Committee. That committee includes the County Highway Engineer, State’s Attorney, representatives from the Vermilion County Health Department and others. There would be a public hearing before any decision is made on the application’s request.
