{
  "id": 11906368,
  "title": "Iowa farmer earns about $30,000 a year from 4 wind turbines on his land",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/iowa-farmer-earns-about-30-000-a-year-from-4-wind-turbines-on-his-land",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-04T10:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/iowa-livestock-farmer-dave-johnson-hosts-four-wind-turbines-that-bring-in-about-30000-a-year-calling-the-steady-lease-income-the-401k-he-never-had-while-he-continues-raising-cattle-and-hogs/articleshow/134671966.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dave Johnson, a livestock farmer in northern Iowa, has been earning about $30,000 annually from four wind turbines installed on his land. He raises cattle and hogs and wants his farm to generate more value. Johnson, a Republican and Trump supporter, views the turbines as an economic decision rather than a political one. The steady income from the turbines provides an additional source of money for his farm, which has been facing financial difficulties due to falling crop prices and increased expenses.\n\nFred Koschmeder, a neighboring corn and soybean farmer, also has turbines on his land. Like Johnson, Koschmeder does not see wind energy as a political issue; he views it as economic development. Wind energy, he believes, adds significant value to his farm and provides extra income. Iowa has become a major wind-energy state for several reasons. The state has strong winds and is close to large population centers like Chicago, which require substantial electricity. Iowa also adopted renewable energy policies early, establishing a renewable portfolio standard in 1983 and setting a target of 105 megawatts of renewable energy by 1999. Federal tax credits, such as the federal tax credit for building wind farms, further promoted the industry's growth.\n\nFarmers in Iowa see wind energy as an additional source of income in an increasingly challenging agricultural environment. Crop prices have fallen, while farm expenses such as tractor repairs have increased with inflation. Wind energy provides farmers with a relatively stable revenue stream, helping them continue working on their land and maintain rural America. Beyond farmers' financial benefits, wind power also helps stabilize energy costs for consumers and creates employment opportunities. The wind industry employs about 4,000 people in Iowa and attracts billions of dollars in capital investment. Despite potential concerns over future policies, wind developers see economic strength and support among Republicans as significant factors in the industry's continued growth.",
  "summary": "Iowa livestock farmer Dave Johnson earns about $30,000 a year by leasing his land for four wind turbines. Despite voting for Donald Trump, he sees wind energy as an economic benefit, calling the steady income “the 401(k) that I never had.”",
  "key_points": [
    "Dave Johnson earns $30,000 annually from four wind turbines on his Iowa farm.",
    "Johnson views wind energy as an economic decision, not a political one.",
    "Iowa's early renewable energy policies and federal tax credits boosted wind energy growth."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}