Sherman County, Oregon is home to farms like many in the United States, but the growers that dot the countryside are green in more ways than one. Along with crops and livestock, they farm wind, using the location's notoriously breezy skies to power massive turbines and generate electricity. The setup seems to be a winning formula for everyone involved, generating carbon-free electricity for neighboring cities as well as providing monetary gain for both the farmers and residents.
The county's 1,735 inhabitants took in $3 million in 2010 as a result of the new wind farming movement. Most of that money is split amongst the farmers who allow their land to be used for the towers, but the average residents also benefit. In compensation for having their horizon drastically changed by the turbines a€” which can affect property values in a big way a€” each head of household in Sherman County receives an annual check for $590.
The average landowner who allows a tower to be built on their property rakes in around $5,500 per turbine each year, and some large farms can house a dozen or more of the massive power generators. The turbines are typically quiet but not entirely silent and there are laws regarding how close they can be to other structures. But with checks of $50,000 or more coming in each year, you can see why many farmers are perfectly content with the change in scenery.
NY Times via Gizmodo
[Image credit: Carillv]
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