Project Overview
The "Building Producer Autonomy in Land Use Decisions through Peer Learning Groups" project aimed to equip farmers and landowners with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about solar development on agricultural land. Through workshops, community discussions, and resources, participants gained a better understanding of solar leasing, regulatory processes, and land-use implications. Our project helped producers mitigate risks, protect their operations, and balance financial opportunities with preserving agricultural heritage.
The target audience included landowners, local government officials, and agricultural professionals. We successfully reached these groups through in-person workshops and a partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. In total, 14 participants attended the full-day, in-person workshops, with 70 participants at the agrisolar summit, and 45 at the Queen Anne's Community Solar Visioning event. Post-event surveys confirmed that attendees valued the sessions, with one participant remarking, “The landowner is in control until a contract is agreed upon,” highlighting the program’s emphasis on risk management and informed decision-making.
Delivery strategies included research-based presentations, live polling, and facilitated discussions that fostered collaboration between stakeholders. Participants engaged with relevant tools and resources, such as solarleasing.umd.edu, ensuring the program’s impact extended beyond in-person events. While we initially envisioned peer-groups, the project adapted to focus on creating spaces for landowners to connect with experts and access peer-reviewed resources.
The outcomes exceeded initial expectations by establishing partnerships and broadening the project’s scope. The program sparked ongoing conversations, resulting in invitations to new collaborations, including grant proposals and conferences, such as the 31st Maryland Land Conservation Conference. These outcomes reflect the project’s long-term value in addressing the needs of rural communities facing renewable energy decisions.
As one participant shared, “More conversations and more information are needed!” our project supported dialogue and laid the groundwork for continued support of rural communities as solar energy development expands across agricultural landscapes.
Number of Participants: 290
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.