Minnesota is one of the nation’s premier locations for distributed wind power. Click on the following resources to learn more about where and how wind can be effectively used for power.
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Iowa’s wind energy potential is dramatic and extensive. This resource hub page lists information and resources that help farmers and landowners make the best possible use of this opportunity.
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The empire state has some great locations for distributed wind power. Here are links to state-specific resources that you can use to guide your efforts at assessing or implementing distributed wind.
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Part 1 – Making the decision
Wind turbines are devices that transform the energy in wind into electricity. In some parts of Pennsylvania, very large wind turbines are visible on ridgetops and high elevations, generating power for use on utility distribution lines. However, it may also be possible for individual farmers, homeowners, or businesses to install a wind turbine to provide electricity for them to use on site. This approach is called “distributed wind”, and while it is not …
Pennsylvania is not part of the traditional “wind belt”, but distributed wind can still be a good option for some farmers, homeowners, and businesses. Here are links to posts and articles that are specific to distributed wind in the Keystone State.
Wind Energy – Short introduction to the topic
Wind Energy in Pennsylvania – State-specific overview
Understand the Constraints of Wind Farming – Guidance on understanding the limits of what is practical
The On-Farm Distributed Wind project is a multi-institutional extension and outreach effort to provide support and guidance to farm owners and rural community members on the topic of distributed energy from wind. This page serves as a resource hub, providing easy access to a wide range of events and resources that can be used to guide wind energy decisions.
This project is supported by U.S. Department of Energy through the National Lab of the Rockies, as well as the participating …
Conference Program (subject to change):
13:00 Optional Technical Tour (Depart from Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center)
17:00 Registration Desk Opens – pick up your nametag and welcome packet
18:00 Evening Session – Welcome and Keynotes (Presidents Ballroom)
– Russell Redding, PA Secretary of Agriculture
– Kevin Atticks, MD Secretary of Agriculture
– Troy Ott, Penn State Dean, College of Agricultural Science
19:00 Posters and Reception (Presidents Ballroom)
– student research posters, commercial posters and …
Research, Policy, Industry, and Innovation
9-11 June, 2026, State College, PA
The event was a great success – thank you to all who participated!
The conference page and program page will remain published to serve as a reference for those interested in obtaining information about the event. Presentation slides and posters have not been published – please contact individual presenters for information about their presentations.
To review full program, visit AD on the Farm Conference 2026 Program
Authors: Gary Musgrave, Bill Lazarus, Dan Ciolkosz, Penn State Extension
Overview:
This business opportunity plan (BOP) describes the steps involved for a hypothetical farm (called “Green Mallard Farm”) to contribute manure to a community anaerobic digester that is operated by a separate digester company. The community digester uses the manure from the farm (and other farms) to produce biogas from manure (and perhaps other feedstocks such as perennial grass and food waste). The biogas may be used to produce electricity …
Authors: Daniel Ciolkosz, Michael, Hile, Bill Lazarus, and Gary Musgrave, Penn State Extension
Overview:
This business opportunity plan describes the steps involved in establishing an on-farm anaerobic digester that produces biogas from a combination of manure and perennial grass (in this case, switchgrass), and sells it as Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) for injection into an adjacent pipeline. The overall configuration of the facility is described, sizes and capacities of major equipment are laid out, and estimated costs along with a …
