[The Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, 3 June 2019]

Michigan Governor Whitmer along with the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will allow land “currently enrolled in the department’s Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program to be used for commercial solar array purposes.” There is currently 3.4 million acres of farmland that is enrolled under the state’s Farmland and Open Space Preservation program (which provides tax incentives for landowners to keep their land for agricultural use only. By changing this rule to allow commercial solar panels, the state’s clean energy program will also grow. If an area is converted back to open land after the use of solar panels, the policy also dictates conditions to ensure this is properly done. MDARD Director Gary McDowell stated of the effort, ““This administrative decision will not result in a loss of useable farmland. The change ensures that Michigan’s farmland is preserved so we can continue to feed our communities while also balancing the need to develop renewable energy sources. This is an exciting new opportunity for Michigan's farmers to diversify while they continue to face challenging circumstances.”