By Abigail Roberts
Local farmers who oppose the proposed solar energy project in Preachersville are planning to rally on Sept. 29.
The Save Kentucky Farms rally, hosted by JBD Cattle LLC, will be held beginning at 4:30 p.m. at 685 Swope Road on Sept. 29.
On Sept. 2, the Lincoln County/Cedar Creek Board of Adjustments approved 17 conditional use permits for the project. The hearings were attended by many adjoining property owners who oppose the project, as well as the 14 families who have signed option-to-lease agreements with Candela Renewables.
The total amount of land under an option-to-lease agreement is just above 2,800 acres. Candela representatives said they have identified approximately 1,500 acres of that total that are viable for the energy project.
Adjoining property owners raised concerns about losing prime farmland, the affect on local waterways and wildlife and increased environmental issues like flooding that they believe the solar project will worsen. They also expressed concerns about how the project will affect adjoining property values.
Jana Blevins, a 4th generation farmer who recently purchased family land on Swope Road, operates a cow-calf business and planned the Save Kentucky Farms rally in response to the BOA’s decision to grant the conditional use permits.
Blevins also created a petition on change.org (https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-protect-preachersville-and-lincoln-county-farmland?recruiter=1215128758&recruited_by_id=d98d38c0-e018-11eb-929b-5393f706162b&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_promote_or_share&utm_medium=facebook&share_id=ps9ZjK59VD).
The petition, which has garnered 167 signatures as of Sept. 22, calls upon local officials and leaders to protect the future of farms in Preachersville.
“Lincoln County’s farmland is more than open acreage. It produces food, supports farm families and agricultural businesses, contributes to our local economy, preserves the rural character of our communities, and represents generations of Kentucky agricultural heritage,” the petition states. “We are also deeply concerned about the potential economic impact on neighboring property owners who have not agreed to participate in the proposed solar development. Published research has found that, in some rural areas, particularly where utility-scale solar facilities are constructed on agricultural or other undeveloped land, nearby residential property values may decline.”
In the petition, Blevins said neighboring families should not be forced to bear potential losses in property value, marketability, rural views, enjoyment of their property or the character of their community as a consequence of an industrial development from which they receive no lease payments or other financial benefit.
Blevins said everyone is invited to the free Save Kentucky Farms/Fight Back Against Solar rally.
“We invite everyone to come out and spend an evening with us celebrating what makes Lincoln County special—our farms, our families, and our community,” Blevins said. “Join us for live music, food, fellowship, and support for Lincoln FFA. We’d love to see you there! FREE ADMISSION. Come hungry and don’t forget your chairs!”
The event will feature live music from the Owen Wright Band, Ridgeline Bluegrass Band and a surprise guest band. The gates will open at 4:30 and music will start at 6 p.m. Food trucks will be on site. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
The guest speaker of the event will be Republican candidate for Governor of Kentucky Bruiser Martin.
