Where would we be without agriculture? The answer is naked and hungry. While it is true that not every grain or bean the county grows goes directly into our mouths, they do feed the animals that we consume.

At 20 years old, I find myself beating the stereotypes within my generation of “not caring about the future of this county.” I was raised on a century farm in Newsoms, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have learned of the worrying, hard work, patience and the many other trials that come along with growing crops and raising livestock.

It is not easy when your job is gambling your entire income and hoping to at least break even.

About six months ago, I first heard of the possibility of solar panels coming to Southampton County. Initially, I thought of how beneficial it could be for our county to receive solar energy and the potential for lower electricity bills.

Although, I quickly learned that these proposed “utility scale” solar “farms” weren’t going to help our county citizen’s bills at all. I also learned my vision of these solar panels finding their home on top of buildings utilizing unused space was not going to happen either. I was then smacked in the face with the aerial view plans of where the proposed sights for “utility scale” solar panels located in Boykins and Newsoms. This land is strictly agricultural fields and it is growing some of the most beautiful crops I have seen at this very moment. What I find most concerning is the fact this isn’t the end.

There will be more offers, more farmers losing land and more local businesses losing money. I believe these solar panels are the poster child of the “domino effect.” In a matter of time, other parts of the county will be scouted and landowners will be offered hard-to-resist land rent. If we aren’t cautious, I believe these “utility scale” solar panels will be more than just an eyesore, but an economic murderer to many of our local businesses.

I had the pleasure of going to the county’s planning commission meeting and public hearing on Aug. 11. I heard some very powerful voices in favor and opposed to the solar panel project. It was a great opportunity to become educated on the issue. What makes these solar panels so appealing to our county is the tax revenue that will be made.

Although, we must also put into consideration the large lump of taxes that comes from agricultural equipment that will be lost along with many other taxed items that will disappear due to the loss of land. So something to think about: are we actually going to be gaining that much more revenue with the contribution of solar panels?

An individual at the meeting discussed that a whopping 69 percent of the land being used is owned by out-of-county landowners. This means much of the money earned from this will never return to our county economy, unlike the farmers, who contribute over half of their income back into the economy.

It was also stated by an individual that if this solar panel project is approved, three farmers for certain will have to give up farming. This may only seem like three people, but just losing them will mean an estimated loss of $740,000 to the county economy.

Community Electric, a proposed solar panel company, informed the meeting of how they would attempt to buffer the panels from the highways and make it more appealing to the eye with landscaping and wooden fences vs. the traditional chain link fence. They stated that only “1.5 local jobs will be created” and the rest of the jobs are contracted such as, maintenance, electricians, etc.

Geenex, another proposed company talked about how they have used an abandoned airport in Halifax County, North Carolina, to put up their first solar “farm.” This allows solar panels to be constructed and no vital agricultural land is being lost. It’s a win, win situation. If more solar companies could follow the example of Geenex’s first solar farm, I believe it would be a no-brainer. Another individual entertained the idea of “a picture-perfect solar farm,” using leftover land from titanium mining located in other Virginia counties that would be the perfect fit since these thousands of acres of land is no longer profitable.

One renewable resource should never have to compete with another. Our land in this country is limited and we can’t just keep throwing it away. I am sure there are other places in this great nation that are a much better fit for solar panels. They can be very resourceful and beneficial if they are placed in the proper areas.

I promote solar panels and I hope that they can benefit our electricity in the future. Just not here. Our land is too valuable and important growing some of the nation’s greatest peanuts and other agricultural crops. Whether you live in Southampton County or you are just passing through, I encourage you to take a piece of paper and write down every business you pass that is influenced by our county’s agricultural community.

I think you will be surprised at the amount of businesses that will be affected economically by taking agricultural land out of the equation. It may seem like just some land to you, but to a farmer, it is so much more.

To quote Gerald O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind,” “The land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for, because it’s the only thing that lasts.”

Kimberly Everett lives on Cedar Dell Farm in Newsoms, Virginia. She keeps herself busy with school, work, and having a voice for the deep agricultural roots in this county that she is very passionate about. She can be reached at kimberlymason43@gmail.com.