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Farmers tell Hamlin board solar fields threaten prime soils and multigenerational farming
Summary
Multiple farmers told the Hamlin town board that large-scale solar projects threaten prime agricultural soil, cited loss of acreage to development and described drainage and maintenance problems at adjacent solar sites.
Farmers and long-time residents told the Hamlin Town Board that proposals to allow large solar fields outside industrial areas would risk prime soils and the town's multigenerational farming heritage. At the public hearing, speakers repeatedly asked the board to keep large arrays off the best farmland.
A resident who gave his address as 775 Lake Road said, "I want to see agriculture stay here in the town. This is what built this town," and referenced Monroe County soil maps as the basis for protecting high-quality soil. Mark Greenwald described long-term losses, saying his family farm has "lost 1,200 acres that's gone through development" and noted that 40 acres near Curtis Grove converted to solar.
Speakers warned about drainage and stewardship problems near existing arrays. "We farm adjacent to 2 solar farms, and they kinda messed up the drainage," Mark Greenwald said, describing standing panels and maintenance issues. The board repeatedly stressed that the draft law would limit large fields to the town's small industrial strips to reduce impacts on active farmland.
