Russell Bros farm in Monticello, Iowa, sources most of its energy from wind and solar power. The operation — owned by a family that has been farming since the Civil War — made the transition to clean energy to save money and lessen any negative impact on the environment.
Today, the farm has a large wind turbine that provides power to three-quarters of the operation and a one-third-acre solar array that covers the rest. The farm’s owner, Jason Russell, told We Are Iowa that the operation generates 96% of its renewable electricity with the combined solar and wind energy sources.
“I think we’re winning because [we have] almost no electric bill, and we’ve got wind and solar, so we’re kind of hedging our bets as far as what Mother Nature’s gonna deliver to us for renewable energy that way,” Russell said to We Are Iowa. “My uncle always said, ‘I am just sick and tired of being out in the wind doing chores.’ I want to get some good out of it.”
According to Living History Farms, more than 85% of Iowa land is farmed — more than 30.6 million acres.
Large agricultural operations require massive amounts of power to thrive in modern society, and Russell said the farm naturally consumes as much energy as 30 households on a regular day.
The wind and solar make that electric pull a clean one. According to Russell, this means paying an electric bill only once a year — in October, when the wind speeds and natural sun power dip below what’s needed.
The farm’s large turbine spins with just 6 mph gusts and has a shut-off mechanism for severe weather. The turbine’s energy flows through a meter, supplying electricity to the farm.
Photo Courtesy Abby Anaday
Wind and solar are not the only renewable practices at Russell Bros. The farm also uses liquid hog manure from its 7,000 head of hogs as fertilizer on all crops. Russell told We Are Iowa that allows the business to allocate a quarter of its land to grow corn and 75% for soybeans.
Russell Bros’ renewable energy sources have earned the farm many accolades, including a National Pork Producers Council award and a 2013 Pork Industry Environment Steward award from Pork Checkoff. In 2021, Russell’s dedication to eco-friendly practices was awarded an American Soybean Association Conservation Legacy award.
Clean energy decisions from large farm owners like Russell are helping the United States move closer to reaching its net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050. The move to solar and wind power has helped Russell Bros save money and significantly lessen its impact on the operation and surrounding communities’ soil, water, and air.
