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Saving energy on your farm at Women in Ag

June 2025

By Anna Peterson

Prairie Drifter Farm joined Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) to host a breakout session during the February 1, 2025, Women in Ag Network event held near St. Cloud. This event is put on by women, for women.

CERTs Regional Coordinators Anna Peterson and Jennifer Lindahl discussed ways participants could save energy on their farms: from weatherizing and upgrading efficient equipment to solar and wind-powered generation.

Joan Olson of Prairie Drifter Farm, led the group on a deep dive into solar energy at her farm, breaking down the costs, rebates, funding, and long-term maintenance. Kathy Draeger, University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships statewide director, provided a virtual tour of her farm and her clean energy upgrades, including installing a wind turbine (and how they paid for it), and heating with wood from dead trees on the property.

solar panels on a field
green agriculture farm scenery
Group of planters placing crops in soil

“Win win in my opinion: put a little land into habitat and then translate that into wind power!”
 

— Kathy Draeger, University of Minnesota Extension RSDP Statewide Director

Adapting for community crisis

Attendees had the opportunity to use a worksheet CERTs developed to plan their farm energy priorities.

The worksheet walked participants through a process:

  • Identify priorities
  • Understand energy use
  • Plan project
  • Identify funding options
  • Implement project

After focusing on their number one priority, they discussed energy audits as a way to understand how they used energy. Participants knew this would be an essential part of their project plan once they returned home. Within “Plan Your Project,” different questions were posed to get clarity on the types of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that could be a fit. A chart then lists out funding options for each project type.

The Women in Ag Network event is an annual conference focused on women in all types of agriculture. It provides educational opportunities to enhance leadership, management, and production skills in agriculture. Find 2025 session handouts and recordings.

More Opportunities for Farmers

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Distributed Wind for Your Farm, Rural Business, or Community

Learn whether distributed wind is a good fit for your farm, rural business, or community at this free educational workshop. 

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Women in Ag Conference 2026

The 2026 University of Minnesota Extension Women in Agriculture Conference is scheduled to take place at The Park Event Center in Waite Park on February 3, 2026. Submit conference proposals by July 27, 2025.

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