WASHINGTON — Many farmers in the area are raising corn to convert to ethanol. But a survey by the U.S. Agriculture Department shows that a growing number of farmers are raising energy. The survey shows that 8,500 U.S. farms are producing their own energy, said Kevin Barnes, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Barnes said that 8,500 farms out of 2 million might not sound like much, but don’t be fooled by the numbers; in the last five years, the number has skyrocketed geometrically. Solar energy remains the most popular form of producing energy on the farm, he said. Farms are using wind generators and methane digesters, but those aren’t as popular as solar, he said.
Thursday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.
