COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Even though Michigan 9.4 million acres of agricultural land, a combination of investors, developers, and renewable energy projects has caused the state to lose 670,000 acres of farmland over two decades from 2002 to 2022.
Data from the United State Department of Agriculture shows that Branch County’s farmland acreage fell 12.1% during that 20 year period, from 253,690 acres in 2002 to 222,992 in 2022.
Locally there has been some concern over former corn and soybean acreage being used for renewable energy projects. In Michigan, an estimated 17,000 acres are currently used for wind and solar, and state officials say another 117,000 to 243,000 acres may be needed to hit climate goals. In total, that would account for 1% to 2% of the state’s agricultural land. Nationally, it’s estimated that roughly 10 million acres of U.S. farmland will be needed for solar projects to reach clean energy mandates.
Residents of Fayette Township in Hillsdale County have been fighting a 140-megawatt solar farm roughly between North Adams Road and U.S. 12 east of Jonesville and west of Half Moon Lake Road.
A proposed 180-megawatt battery energy storage system by EDF Renewables in Branch County’s Quincy Township is also facing strong opposition from local residents, citing safety concerns over a 40-acre site near Boone Road.
Meantime federal data shows the average value of Michigan agricultural land went up 7.8% from 2024 to 2025, from $6,310 to $6,800 an acre. That increase was higher than any other state, with the national average increase at 4.3%.
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