A pair of Republican lawmakers hope to end a federal scheme to use taxpayer dollars to pay companies to cover critical American farmland with solar panels.
U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) announced in a statement they have “introduced the Protecting American Farmland Act, which would put an end to Green New Deal subsidies for solar projects on prime farmland.”
“This legislation would codify President Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins’ directive banning federal funds for solar projects on prime farmland,” the senators notes.
“Tennessee’s farmland is critical to America’s food supply, and the federal government should not be endorsing Green New Scam projects that subsidize ruining fertile American farmland by building solar panels,” said Blackburn. “The Protecting American Farmland Act would ensure not one more federal dollar funds the destruction of productive farmland.”
“Locking up prime farming and ranching land for solar panels threatens America’s long-term food supply and wastes millions in taxpayer dollars on Green New Scam projects that do nothing to advance American prosperity,” said Lummis. “The federal government should not bankroll failed climate-alarmist schemes, and I’m proud to codify President Trump and Secretary Rollins’ ban on funding them.”
U.S. Representative Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives:
“Our Nation must be energy independent, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of feeding our families. America has been blessed with the best farmland in the world, and the federal government should not incentivize it being taken out of production,” said Taylor. “With nearly 50% of farmland expected to transfer hands in the next two decades, Congress must ensure the next generation has access to it. I am proud to champion this bill with Senator Blackburn to ensure America’s food security for decades to come.”
According to Blackburn’s office, “Tennessee has lost over 1.2 million acres of farmland within the last 30 years and is expected to lose 2 million acres by 2027. Since 2012, solar panels on farmland nationwide have increased by nearly 50%. Government-subsidized solar farms have increased farmland costs and reduced availability, making it harder for farmers to access land.”
“This threatens long-term agricultural production by diverting prime farmland away from food and fiber crops. If the shift continues, it could pose serious challenges for rural communities and food security,” Blackburn adds.
“On August 18, 2025, Secretary Rollins announced the department will no longer use taxpayer dollars to fund solar panels on productive farmland. The decision addresses concerns that subsidized solar projects have reduced farmland availability and driven up costs for producers. This policy change is intended to protect agricultural land for farming and food production,” Blackburn notes.
“The Protecting American Farmland Act would codify Secretary Rollins’ directive by prohibiting the head of a federal agency from using federal funds—including tax credits, loans, and grants—for solar projects on prime farmland. There would be no impact on private property rights, as individuals would still be free to install solar panels on their land; however, the government would no longer provide incentives for it,” Blackburn adds.
“While this organization does believe new energy resources are important, even more so, Tennessee Farm Bureau was created to protect the farmer’s way of life and that includes ensuring long-term availability of land for food and fiber production. We believe placement of new energy sources should prioritize lands not suitable for production agriculture, which is why our policy aligns with the Protecting American Farmland Act and why we’re proud to support this legislation,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry, endorsing the bill.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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I know one thing, no one can eat those solar panels
At last another green peace myth(prevarication) has been exposed. We cannot use all of our farmland to grow solar panels and wind generators without adversely impacting our nation’s ability to grow reasonably priced food to feed our expanding population. Why have we seen the exponential growth of imported fruits and vegetables from Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Brazil and almost every other nation? The B.S. lies of corrupt B.S. of politicians
and green peace liberals.
There is no end to the mental illness plaguing this country. If that scheme was ever put in place I suspect it wouldn’t last long. People are just about fed up with the wingnuts!!!!