GREEN FARMING PIONEER PAYS THE BILLS WITH WIND

Energy prices are soaring in the heartland. The national average price of unleaded gas in early May was $3.62/gallon. Diesel was $4.24/gallon. The cost of natural gas, a major factor in nitrogen fertilizer component anhydrous ammonia production, was almost double the late August price.

In the past farmers were too busy working the land to reverence it like city-dwelling environmentalists. As a result of soaring energy costs, a new, rugged environmentalism is emerging. Steve Fugate, renewable energy expert, Iowa City: "If [farmers don’t adopt new technologies], they're done…This run-up in fuel prices has really put the branding iron to their backsides."

The branding iron is burning New Energy into their plans.

Farmers, even small farmers, are now seriously thinking about wind and solar installations. Dale Arnold, director of energy services, the Ohio Farm Bureau: "This is not what you would call an impulse buy…You're talking about spending the same amount of money as you would on a new combine or major piece of equipment on their farm."

The farmers' pragmatic environmentalism fitted well with Ohio Governor Ted Strickland’s recently successful push to pass a state Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) and start building the New Energy economy in Ohio. It also fitted well with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown’s New Energy agenda at the national level. The result? Western Ohio farmer Ralph Dull, who has built wind and developed energy efficiencies, has become the host at one of Ohio politicians' favorite press tour stops.

Arnold, of the Ohio Farm Bureau:"Five or six years ago, Ralph would have been considered a voice crying out in the wilderness…Now, other farmers are lining up behind him."

The only voices left crying out in the wilderness are those calling for Washington politicians to extend the federal New Energy incentives so the growth and benefits can keep coming.

Sign the petition calling for Congress to act at Support Renewable Energy Tax Credits

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Farmer is green energy pioneer in Ohio
James Hannah, May 7, 2008 (USA Today)

WHO
Ralph Dull, Ohio farmer; Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio Agriculture Director Robert Boggs;

The small hydrogen-generating unit at the Dull Homestead Farm in Brookville, Ohio. Hydrogen powers the engine in the foreground, which originally ran on gasoline. (Photo from USA Today – click to enlarge)

WHAT
Mr. Dull has been recognized by Strickland, Brown and Boggs for pioneering “green” farming practices and for successfully using wind power at his farm to ease power costs.

WHEN
Dull first read about using wind power on his farm when he was in the hospital recovering from knee surgery.

Western Ohio has terrific wind assets. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
Dull’s 2,800-acre farm is in western Ohio.

WHY
- Dull has 6 120-foot-high wind turbines on his farm. They cost $210,000, 25% of which came from a state grant. They cut his $40,000/year electricity bill 15%.
- Dull is also using wind to generate hydrogen from water and will use the hydrogen to replace gas in his forklifts and propane heating his pig barn.
- Dull uses geothermal energy to heat and cool his office.
- He burns seed corn for fuel and reuses corn cobs as mulch.

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QUOTES
- Governor Strickland: "He is demonstrating through his farming practices that you can have a profitable farming operation while caring for the Earth…"
- Geoff Greenfield, president, Third Sun Solar and Wind Power: "It's moving from the early adopters and true believers; now it's mainstream…"