Why Kansas Wind Farms Are Changing the Face of Rural Farming [2025 Guide]

Wind farms are drastically changing the rural landscape throughout our state of Kansas. Our state ranks fourth nationwide for wind capacity growth with 400,000 turbines installed, and these developments are revolutionizing local economies beyond expectations. The Diamond Vista Wind Farm showcases this massive scale with its 95 turbines spread across 73 square miles, generating around 300 megawatts of power.

Kansas wind turbines have generated over 105,000 jobs nationwide, and 32,000 of these positions are in the Midwest. These energy projects pump more than $1.6 billion yearly into state and local taxes and landowner lease payments, which helps rural communities bridge their budget gaps. Kansas farmers received $267 million in lease payments during 2017, which provides them with steady income along with their traditional farming revenue.

This piece explores how Kansas wind farms reshape farming communities. Tax benefits fund new schools and better infrastructure. Wind turbine technicians have become the nation’s second-fastest-growing occupation with a 108% growth rate. Local communities face certain challenges, yet wind energy’s presence has sparked a remarkable 616% increase in taxable sales in some areas. This surge has completely transformed rural Kansas’s economic future.

How wind farms are reshaping rural Kansas

Kansas’s vast prairies serve a new purpose that goes beyond traditional farming. The Sunflower State’s wind farms are changing the rural scene faster than ever, creating chances that didn’t exist before.

How wind farms are reshaping rural Kansas

New revenue streams for farmers

Wind energy has become a financial lifeline for many Kansas farming families during tough times. The state’s farmers and ranchers now earn more than $20 million yearly from land lease payments. These payments give vital stability in an industry that often faces unpredictable weather and market changes. Each turbine brings in $3,000 to $7,000 every year, providing steady income that doesn’t depend on rain or crop prices.

Wind development barely leaves a mark on the land. The turbines take up less than 5% of the actual space, even though they spread across large areas. Farmers can keep working their land around these installations without much change to their crops or livestock.

A Kansas farmer explained it best: “I really wasn’t going to survive as a rancher without outside income, or I was going to work myself to death doing 15-hour days”. The extra money helps others pay off their equipment and make investments they couldn’t afford before. Kansas landowners now receive $48,111,890 yearly through these deals. Wind energy has truly become a “drought-proof cash crop.”

Revitalizing small towns with infrastructure upgrades

Wind energy development helps entire communities thrive. David Mueller, a Marion County commissioner, puts it simply: “This is generally a lower income area. It’s poorer ground… if we can generate some income off of something that’s not popular, that’s a real win”.

These projects have made a big difference in rural infrastructure. Wind developers fix up local roads to handle construction and maintenance work. The whole community benefits from these better roads. A local resident shared: “We can use the roads to get into our pastures… which wasn’t possible before when they were dirt roads”.

Wind companies invest heavily in these communities. The small town of Tampa (population 100) received:

• A new library
• A freezer for the local co-op grocery store
• $35,000 for a new fire truck

Kansas doesn’t charge property taxes on wind generation, but companies make voluntary donations to counties. These gifts, plus property tax payments where they apply, will reach about $657,726,485 over time. This money supports schools, emergency services, and other key community programs.

The rise of wind turbines in Kansas

Kansas’s wind energy growth tells an amazing story. The state ranks fourth nationwide for installed wind power capacity. Almost 4,000 turbines now stand between 210 and 400 feet tall. Since 2016, workers have put up 400 new turbines taller than the Statue of Liberty across Kansas.

The numbers show this incredible growth:

• Wind generates 43% of Kansas’s electricity, the second-highest percentage in the country
• The state runs 36 projects producing over 6,134 megawatts – enough power for more than 2 million homes
• Kansas added over 1,000 MW of land-based capacity in 2021

This growth continues with projects like High Banks in Republic and Washington counties. This wind farm will become the state’s biggest when finished. Its 233 turbines will generate 600 megawatts, powering more than 240,000 homes.

These projects boost the economy beyond rural areas. Wind energy companies have invested more than $15 billion in Kansas. They’ve created thousands of jobs in operations, maintenance, construction, manufacturing, and engineering.

Big companies now look to Kansas wind energy as they focus on sustainability goals. Textron Aviation and Spirit AeroSystems buy Kansas wind energy through Evergy’s Renewables Direct program. This demand drives more wind farm construction and strengthens Kansas’s role as a clean energy leader.

Tax benefits and public funding from wind energy

Wind farms in Kansas do more than just benefit landowners. They generate substantial tax money that changes county budgets and public services. The money flows well beyond the turbines and reshapes how rural communities pay for basic services.

Tax benefits and public funding from wind energy

How wind farms increase county tax revenue

Wind energy projects are among the biggest taxpayers in many rural Midwest communities. An Associated Press study of tax data from Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska shows wind companies pay more taxes than large farms, power plants, and other major businesses. This money brings financial stability to rural areas that used to struggle.

Kansas has special tax rules for wind farms. The state lets renewable energy facilities skip property taxes—projects between 1999 and 2016 got lifetime exemptions, while those after January 2017 got 10-year breaks. Kansas now has 3,922 wind turbines across 38 counties, which adds up to a lot of exempt property value.

The counties don’t miss out completely. Wind companies usually work out Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements to give counties steady income. These payments depend on how many megawatts they produce, which gives rural communities reliable funding.

Funding schools and public services

Money from wind farms helps entire communities, though each area spends it differently. Moody’s Investors Service says wind farms have helped finances in more than 400 counties across 41 states—twice as many as ten years ago. Counties often use this money to fix crucial infrastructure.

Wind energy can completely change school funding. Ford County, Kansas, gets about $3.8 million yearly in wind turbine taxes, which makes up 10% of all property taxes. The Tri-Point school district alone receives more than $900,000 each year from local wind farms—15% of its local tax income.

Counties spend wind revenue on:

• Road and bridge improvements
• New public works facilities
• Emergency services equipment
• Property tax relief for residents

Moody’s analyst Frank Mamo explains, “What we’re seeing is wind farms generate new operating revenues, lower the tax burden for local residents. In many cases, local governments are using this new money to address what was a growing backlog of deferred capital expenditures”.

Each state and county handles funding differently. Kansas changed its education funding in 2016. Before that, wind energy taxes went straight to school districts with turbines, giving them big advantages. Now, these taxes gradually blend into the overall education funding formula.

Examples from Mower and Adair counties

Looking at specific counties shows the actual impact. MidAmerican Energy’s wind projects in Adair County, Iowa, pay $3.5 million in property taxes yearly, with $2 million going to the county. This makes up 25% of Adair County’s budget and lets them invest in public projects without raising taxes.

Jackson County, Minnesota (sometimes called Mower County) gets almost 20% of its yearly operating money from wind energy production taxes. They built a $14 million public works facility without raising taxes. The wind revenue also stopped a 14.5% property tax increase for residents.

Kingman County, Kansa,s tells another success story. They got $1.6 million from wind farms in 2022 and over $10 million in the past decade. This money funded public safety and local infrastructure while keeping taxes stable—in 2017, they used wind money for a “mill levy buydown” that kept tax rates the same for two years.

Some problems still exist. Critics say PILOT payments are much less than full property tax payments would be. Research suggests Kansas counties and schools miss out on $59.8 million yearly because of tax exemptions. Counties and school districts also disagree about how to share the money, as practices vary across the state.

Wind energy and the future of farming

Kansas farmers have found a new type of harvest that doesn’t depend on rain or market prices. A Kansas rancher summed it up perfectly: “I always say that wind farming is my best cash crop because the wind blows even during a drought”.

Wind energy and the future of farming

Land lease payments as stable income

Many farmers face thin margins and unpredictable weather, but wind lease payments give them a financial safety net. Landowners earned $222 million in lease payments in 2015 alone. These payments create substantial income streams in the heartland. Texas landowners collect over $60 million each year, Iowa farmers get $20-25 million, and Minnesota’s landowners earn $10-15 million annually.

This steady income makes a big difference. Jim Nichols, a farmer in southwestern Minnesota, sees his turbine as a “combine in the sky” that “harvests all year long and doesn’t sit in the shed 11 months out of the year”. Pete Ferrell’s story from Kansas shows how wind energy saved his 7,000-acre ranch during tough times—just as oil production had helped his family’s operation survive the 1950s drought.

Wind payments often bring in more money than traditional crops. Farmers with wind leases usually earn $8,000 to $33,000 per turbine each year. John Dollinger from Illinois started at $10,000 per turbine yearly a decade ago, and now receives about $12,000 per turbine. The U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy reports average land leases pay $6,700 per megawatt yearly—which could mean up to $20,100 per turbine annually.

Farming around turbines: what changes?

Wind turbines barely disrupt farming operations. Each turbine takes up less than half an acre, so farmers can plant crops and graze livestock right next to the base. Farmers continue using about 95% of their land around wind installations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms that 94% of farmland kept its main agricultural use after adding turbines.

Iowa State University researchers found unexpected benefits for crops near turbines. Gene Takle’s team showed that turbines create air movement that:

• Moves plants so sunlight reaches deeper into crop canopies
• Pumps carbon dioxide from the soil, giving plants extra nutrition
• Reduces dew formation, which might lower fungal disease risk
• Creates warmer nighttime temperatures that can help some crops

Construction causes the main disruption, lasting six months to a year. Most lease agreements cover crop damage compensation during this time. After completion, only new gravel roads for turbine access and maintenance remain.

Wind turbines as a drought-proof cash crop

Kansas farmers welcome turbines because they’re truly a “drought-proof cash crop.” Wind income stays steady no matter what the weather or market does. This reliable income gives much-needed financial security to self-employed farmers without retirement plans.

Dr. Sarah Mills from the University of Michigan found that farmers with turbines invested twice as much in their operations over five years compared to those without. These farmers bought more farmland, believed their property would stay farmland, and had better retirement plans.

Colorado farmer Twane Reker puts it simply: “Farming right now is very tight, margins are very thin, and of course, extra income like that always helps”. New York dairy farmer Jack Bossard agrees: “Any little bit helps in the dairy business. Whatever income we get, I tell my wife we don’t have to feed them, we don’t have to clean up after them”.

This financial stability grows more important as farming challenges increase. Net farm income dropped 6.7% nationally to $59.5 billion in 2018. Minnesota farmers faced their fifth straight year of declining income, with median farm earnings of just $28,500 in 2017. Wind payments helped many operations stay afloat.

A Kansas farmer’s words during a severe drought, standing by his dried-up farm pond, say it all: “This here, this is really why we need renewable energy, solar, wind”.

Job creation and workforce development

Wind energy projects are reimagining the employment landscape in rural Kansas by creating unprecedented career opportunities. The state has seen investments of over $11 billion that generated more than 5,000 jobs. These projects have revolutionized rural work prospects through both short and long-term employment pathways.

Job creation and workforce development

Wind technician: a fast-growing career

Wind turbine service technician stands as America’s fastest-growing occupation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an amazing 108% growth rate over the next decade. Kansas technicians earn a median salary of $62,380, which exceeds the national median of $61,770. Job listings on employment websites offer even better prospects, with average annual salaries of $80,100. This makes the field particularly attractive to rural residents.

The job market just needs more technicians, with about 2,100 openings projected yearly over the next decade. “The highest-paid technicians tend to have specialized equipment certificates, such as those from Siemens Gamesa and GE”. This highlights the advancement opportunities available in the field.

Community college training programs

Educational pathways into wind careers have expanded throughout Kansas and neighboring states. New technicians typically complete a one-year electrical certificate program at a technical or community college before starting as apprentices. Many institutions offer specialized wind energy programs that feature:

• Hands-on training with actual turbine components
• Safety certification courses
• Electrical systems education
• Mechanical troubleshooting skills

Several community colleges have developed detailed wind technician programs with impressive job placement rates. To name just one example, Minnesota West Community College’s graduates enjoy 100% job placement. This shows how eager the industry is to hire qualified professionals. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Career Map shows potential growth pathways in both vocational and degree wind energy careers.

Permanent vs. temporary jobs

The difference between temporary construction and permanent maintenance positions represents a significant aspect of wind energy employment. A typical Kansas wind farm expansion creates about 250 temporary construction jobs that last 6-12 months. This leads to 5-10 permanent operations and maintenance positions. Evergy’s wind projects alone created roughly 450 construction jobs.

Permanent positions bring lasting economic benefits to rural communities. Studies show that operations and maintenance workers add more enduring value than construction teams. About 80% spend money in communities where they work, and 87% spend most of their money where they live. A researcher explained, “O&M workers have the potential to live in or near these communities and contribute economic value that extends well beyond the date when a wind power plant goes live”.

The size of permanent employment is directly associated with facility size. Wind plants larger than 200 megawatts typically employ at least six full-time workers but average more than 16 members in their core team. Technological improvements have actually reduced staffing needs – newer facilities need fewer maintenance personnel than older installations.

Wind technicians in Kansas and neighboring states earn much more than average rural wages. Entry-level positions typically pay $20-$25 hourly, while experienced specialists can earn nearly $50 per hour. This economic shift helps keep young talent in rural communities that have historically struggled with population decline.

Boosting local economies through wind projects

Kansas wind turbines create a complex economic ecosystem that changes rural communities. Money flows through local economies and creates opportunities way beyond the reach and influence of landowners who host these turbines.

Boosting local economies through wind projects

Construction phase effects on economy

Wind farm construction gives rural communities a big economic boost. These projects have created an estimated 8,600 jobs across Kansas. Each project needs hundreds of workers for about a year. A typical 300-megawatt wind project brings 250-300 construction workers to the host community. This creates immediate economic activity.

Workers make local businesses thrive. Construction crews pack hotels, eat at local restaurants, buy supplies from hardware stores, and fill up at local gas stations. The U.S. Department of Energy reports this activity creates 11,441 more indirect jobs during construction alone.

The financial numbers are impressive, too. NextEra Energy plans to invest more than $1.1 billion in wind projects over three years. They will spend $321.1 million directly with Minnesota companies. This gets more and thus encourages more economic activity worth $550.9 million and $218.6 million in labor income. Rural areas see most of these benefits.

Long-term business growth in rural towns

Economic benefits continue long after construction ends. Kansas wind projects will bring over $1.6 billion in direct economic benefits to counties and landowners through various payments. This creates stable finances for rural communities that often struggle economically.

Business growth happens through:

• Local companies are getting maintenance contracts for landscaping and snow removal
• Hotels hosting specialized maintenance crews regularly
• Local shops servicing wind farm vehicles
• Full-time employees buying homes and joining the community

These ongoing activities have helped rural communities for decades. Minnesota’s wind projects will generate $44 million in yearly economic activity throughout their operation, adding up to $1.3 billion over 30 years. Kansas has built 40 utility-scale wind energy projects since 2001, creating 1,315 permanent jobs.

Case study: Ivanhoe, Minnesota

Ivanhoe, Minnesota, shows how wind energy development can change a local economy. This small town of fewer than 600 residents faced big economic challenges before wind turbines came.

The Red Pine wind project brought more than $18 million to the local economy. Mayor Dennis Klingbile says the project gave Ivanhoe “a 75 percent boost in the economy”. The community saw amazing changes:

• Every rental unit got filled
• New residents bought at least eight houses
• More kids enrolled in elementary school
• Tax revenue grew by about $1 million yearly

This case shows how wind energy can refresh struggling rural communities. Kingman County, Kansas, had a similar experience. Wind farms helped fund improvements that would have needed tax increases otherwise. Their three wind projects employed over 700 construction workers and still bring about $1.6 million yearly to the county.

These economic changes prove that Kansas wind farms bring detailed benefits that reach far beyond the turbines themselves.

Environmental and sustainability benefits

Kansas wind farms offer environmental advantages that go way beyond their economic benefits. Wind power, as a clean and renewable energy source, has transformed our state’s environmental footprint.

Reducing air pollution and carbon emissions

Wind energy cuts down harmful emissions that lead to climate change and poor air quality. U.S. wind energy helped avoid over 250,000 metric tons of air pollutants in 2013, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Wind energy’s carbon footprint stands at just 11 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour. Coal produces a staggering 980 grams—making its carbon footprint nearly 90 times larger.

Wind power became Kansas’s largest electricity source in 2019 and now generates 46% of our state’s total power. This change brings remarkable environmental benefits. A typical wind project pays back its carbon footprint in six months or less and provides decades of zero-emission energy afterward.

Water savings from wind energy

Wind energy saves precious water resources, among other environmental benefits. Wind turbines need almost no water to generate electricity. Thermoelectric power plants, however, use up to 5.9 billion gallons of fresh water daily from rivers, lakes, and aquifers.

These water savings add up quickly. Wind energy could save 260 billion gallons of water nationally by 2050. This amount equals about 400,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools’ worth of water that the power sector would otherwise use.

Wind vs. fossil fuels: a cleaner alternative

The environmental impact comparison between wind and fossil fuels reveals striking differences:

• Lifecycle emissions: Wind’s minimal lifecycle emissions (11 g CO2/kWh) outperform natural gas (465 g CO2/kWh) and coal (980 g CO2/kWh) by a wide margin
• Land impact: Wind development needs more land at first, but allows farmers to use about 95% of that land for agriculture
• Longevity advantage: Wind turbines can be replaced on existing pads after their 20-year lifespan without disturbing the environment further. Oil and gas wells need continuous new drilling

The EPA’s estimates show wind energy’s impressive health benefits—worth about $37 per megawatt-hour based on fewer premature deaths and hospital visits from air pollution. Combined with grid system value, wind energy’s total worth reaches $183 per megawatt-hour—triple its average cost.

Community funds and local reinvestment

Kansas wind farms do more than generate tax revenue and lease payments. They create dedicated funds that help community initiatives directly. This partnership between energy companies and rural communities brings new opportunities to local areas.

Community funds and local reinvestment

How wind farms support local nonprofits

Wind energy companies set up structured community funds that give grants to local organizations regularly. Capital Power’s Bloom Wind facility shows this commitment well. The facility contributes $704,000 in annual property taxes toward community infrastructure. Extra support goes to organizations like the Ford County Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Minneola Fire Department, and the Kansas Food Bank.

These contributions make a big difference in rural areas where money is hard to find. Local boards with community members decide how to use these funds based on what their areas need most.

Examples of community grants and scholarships

Education and workforce development get special attention from wind companies. Duke Energy Foundation and AT&T each gave $10,000 to create wind energy scholarships. These scholarships help build a more diverse renewable workforce. Nunez Community College received $321,772 to fund 20 Wind Energy Technology Program scholarships, preparing students for jobs in the growing wind industry.

The grants help many different community needs. Post Rock Wind gave $4,000 to fix up a historic opera house. First Wind’s Stetson Mountain Fund offered $100,000 in grants for recreation programs. These investments touch every part of rural life across Kansas and nearby states.

Odell Wind Farm’s community impact

Odell Wind Farm shows what community funds can do. This 200-megawatt facility gives about $40,000 each year to small towns near the wind farm. The first grant cycle saw 26 groups asking for nearly $135,000. Thirteen projects received $39,000 in total.

The money helped various groups. Mountain Lake Elementary bought Chromebook technology, local fire departments upgraded their equipment, and 4-H programs improved their STEM education. So far, about $230,000 has gone to four counties. The benefits reach everyone in these communities, not just landowners with turbines on their property.

Challenges and community concerns

Wind energy expansion across Kansas faces strong opposition from residents who worry about changes to their rural way of life. Communities have become increasingly divided over competing interests and values as more wind projects emerge.

Visual and noise complaints

The turbines have drastically changed daily life for many rural Kansans. Their night skies, once peaceful and dark, now flash with red aviation lights. A resident shared their frustration: “I have only one window which does not look out upon a sea of red blinking lights”. The rotating blades create shadow flicker that adds to these visual disturbances.

Noise remains a major source of conflict. Research shows people feel annoyed by wind turbine sounds even when they stay within recommended limits. A Polish study revealed that 65.2% of people living near wind farms heard the noise outdoors, and 46.4% found it annoying. The complaints have grown as turbines reach heights up to 800 feet in Kansas.

Property rights and zoning disputes

Property rights sit at the heart of this debate. Landowners who don’t participate claim that nearby turbines interfere with their rural property enjoyment. Those wanting to lease their land view any restrictions as limiting their freedom to make contracts. Currently, half of Kansas’s counties have rules that support wind development. However, 20% ban new installations, especially in the Flint Hills region, to protect the tallgrass prairie.

Safety and health concerns have sparked debates about proper setback distances from property lines. While industry experts suggest 550 feet works well, safety manuals recommend keeping 1300-1640 feet away from working turbines.

Balancing growth with local values

Counties struggle to balance economic benefits against community concerns. Shawnee, Linn, McPherson, Harvey, and Sedgwick have temporarily stopped new wind projects. In stark contrast to this, some areas create special wind energy districts that restrict development to locations where turbines will have minimal effect.

Conclusion

Kansas wind farms are more than just renewable energy generators – they breathe new life into struggling rural communities. The economic benefits reach way beyond the turbines themselves. Local farmers now have a “drought-proof crop” that generates reliable income whatever the weather throws at them. Local governments can fund vital services without tax hikes. Schools get much-needed resources, and young people can build rewarding careers right in their hometowns.

These changes bring legitimate worries about how turbines alter the views, create noise, and change rural landscapes. Communities need to tackle these concerns thoughtfully. Striking the right balance between boosting the economy and keeping rural character intact remains a key challenge.

Kansas now sits where traditional farming meets modern energy production. This partnership, even with occasional tensions, creates opportunities neither sector could achieve on its own. Wind farms have altered the map of rural Kansas’s economy. They provide a safety net during tough farming times, create diverse employment options, and fund community projects that once seemed out of reach.

Rural Kansas’s future looks different now – still deeply rooted in agriculture but made stronger by wind energy’s economic boost. While challenges continue, the mix of steady farm income, major tax revenue, new jobs, and environmental benefits makes a strong case for wind energy’s ongoing role in rural Kansas’s evolution.