I’m a generational landowner, born and raised here in Iowa, in Muscatine County. My family has worked with local farmers and utilized our land to grow corn and soybeans for decades. Farming isn’t just a job — it’s our way of life for our community.
But over the past several years, the economics of farming has been hard, and it’s becoming more expensive. The cost of seeds, fertilizer, fuel, and equipment goes up every year. Property taxes are rising too, and my income can’t always keep up. On top of that, crop prices rise and fall, and the weather is unpredictable. So much of farming is out of our control.
That’s why, almost two years ago, I decided to lease a small part of my land for a solar project. What I’ve seen is simple: solar provides steady, reliable income. The project looks good on the land, too. It’s quiet, well maintained, and there’s no weed overgrowth while the rest of the land remains operational for farming. When I was considering this decision, I talked to my farmers and neighbors about the pros and cons. They all said, “We get it.” They know how tough farming can be and why steady income matters.
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This solar project gives me a guaranteed income. No matter what happens with crop prices, tariffs, or the weather, I know money is coming in. That steady income helps me pay bills, manage debt, and, most importantly, keep my land.
Without this income, many family farms are at risk of being sold. As money gets tight, more farming families face hard choices. Farms are disappearing across Iowa. Solar gives farmers another option to stay in operation.
That’s why I support the community solar bill — the Local Generation Act (House File 2672). This bill would allow more small, local solar projects in Iowa. No one is forced to join and landowners can choose if they want to lease their land. More solar in the community also means that families and small businesses who can’t put solar panels on their roofs could subscribe and lower their power bills. These projects would also generate property taxes, paid for by the solar project owner, which is money that goes directly to our local schools, libraries, counties, and towns.
Some people worry that community solar will raise electricity rates. But the bill sets limits on how many projects can be built, roughly equaling around 1,000 acres to be used. There are more than 30 million acres of farmland in the state — this would be little more than a drop in the bucket. The bill also gives the Iowa Utilities Commission the job of making sure the program is fair for everyone.
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Iowa needs more electricity as demand grows, and this bill gives landowners a chance to be part of the solution. In rural communities, we look out for each other. If I thought this proposal would cause higher bills, toxic materials, or constant noise, I wouldn’t support it. What I see is an opportunity for Iowans to choose whether solar works for their home or business.
Iowa is not alone in this movement. Twenty-four other states, including many with strong agricultural economies, have already enacted community solar programs. Iowa has long been a leader in homegrown energy, and we shouldn’t let this opportunity to invest in our own state go to waste. This is about supporting the local economy, helping neighbors get reliable and affordable energy, and giving farmers another tool to manage risk and keep our land.
If we care about family farms and strong rural communities, we should call our representatives today to support the Local Generation Act.
John Manjoine lives and owns land in Muscatine County.

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