Portuguese 
On a 2,800-hectare ranch in Kansas, Pete Ferrell keeps cattle alongside 50 wind turbines, which have come to represent approximately half of his family’s annual income
Pete Ferrell has transformed the wind that has blown across his family’s ranch in Kansas for generations into a significant source of income. The 7,000-acre property, about 2,800 hectares, hosts 50 wind turbines, while the cattle continue to occupy most of the land.
Wind Turbines Share Space with Cattle Grazing
The 50 turbines installed on the ranch are part of the Elk River wind project, which began operating in 2005. The complete project has 100 units and a total capacity of 150 megawatts.
Each turbine has a capacity of 1.5 megawatts. The other half of the structures was installed on neighboring properties, forming a wind farm that now shares the rural landscape with livestock.
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Despite the large structures, cattle farming has continued. Approximately 50 acres, or about 20 hectares, are no longer available for grazing due to the bases of the turbines, roads, and other facilities.
Compared to the 7,000 acres of the ranch, this occupied area represents only a small portion of the property. The remainder continues to be primarily used for cattle farming.
Farmer Initially Rejected Installation of the Machines
The Ferrell family’s relationship with wind-generated energy began decades earlier. In 1923, Pete’s great-grandfather installed a small Jacobs Windjammer turbine connected to a Delco glass battery.
At that time, the electrical grid had not yet reached the ranch. Despite this history, Pete Ferrell did not immediately accept the arrival of the large commercial turbines.
In the 1990s, developers approached the farmer about installing equipment on his property. Ferrell refused because he was concerned about impacts on the prairie and potential problems for cattle farming.
His perspective changed after a trip to California. In Altamont Pass, he observed another producer raising cattle and managing the property while the turbines operated around them.
Ferrell then began to consider the possibility. He received six proposals from interested companies and ultimately signed a contract with Greenlight Energy Resources. The Elk River wind farm became operational in 2005.
Wind Represents Half of Annual Income
The revenue generated by the wind turbines gained significance especially during challenging periods for cattle farming.
The property is located in the Flint Hills region, known for its expansive tallgrass prairie.
Drought can reduce pastureland and directly affect income from cattle. Wind generation, on the other hand, provides a secondary source of income for the property when conditions allow the turbines to operate.
According to data attributed to the Environmental Defense Fund in the provided material, each turbine can generate approximately $10,000 annually for rural landowners.
In Ferrell’s case, royalties from wind energy account for about half of his annual income. Thus, he describes the wind as his “best insurance policy.”
“Fuel is free. It just shows up,” the farmer stated.
Same Land Generates Income from Cattle Farming and Energy
The model allows Ferrell to earn from a portion of the ranch without abandoning the existing agricultural activity on the property.
The turbines do not directly power the family’s homes. The electricity produced enters the regional grid, while the owner receives payment for the lease of the land used by the project.
This case illustrates how the same space can continue to be used for cattle raising while also serving for energy generation and creating a secondary source of revenue.
This article was prepared based on the foundational material provided, which contains information about Pete Ferrell, the Elk River wind project, and data attributed to the Environmental Defense Fund, with figures and statements preserved as consulted content.
