Farming and Conservation Under the Sun

We're excited to welcome Matthew O'Neal, Professor and the H.A. Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University.

Professor O'Neal will share insights and data from the innovative Alliant Energy and ISU Solar Farm partnership. This 10-acre, utility-scale solar farm, built in 2024, is a living laboratory where ISU faculty and students conduct crucial research on agrivoltaics—determining which forms of farming and conservation can be done in an environmentally and economically sustainable way alongside solar panels.

Having just completed their second field season, Professor O'Neal has interesting data and stories to share about:

• The possibilities for integrating conservation and agricultural activities at solar farms.

• The research into growing fruits, vegetables, and pollinator habitats in the modified microclimate beneath and between solar arrays.

• What these results mean for the expansion of solar developments in Iowa and the future of sustainable land use that values both agriculture and renewable energy.

Don't miss this fascinating look at what's possible when utility and agricultural interests align for the future!