Help build two new wind turbines in a northern Iowa farming community.

Carbon Project Type: Wind Energy
Location: Northern Iowa, U.S.
Year: 2011
Volume: 92,000 metric tonnefs
Standard: Verified Carbon Standard
Capacity: 3.2 MW

Ruth and Ken Benjegerdes had a vision: among their fields of corn and soybeans, they wanted to see a wind turbine.

Like many residents of northern Iowa, they have observed the region’s transformation as wind farms appear on the landscape. These communities, once powered mostly by coal, are benefiting from increased tax revenue, job creation, and rural economic development. Young people who usually leave the towns have begun to stay. And for many farmers, wind generation is providing a critical source of income.

As Ruth noted, “We have a lot of wind turbines in the area—it’s cool to watch them get going.”

Now, through the Iowa Farms Wind Project, the Benjegerdes are realizing the benefits of wind on their own farm.

Project Details

The Benjegerdes leased a portion of their land to host a 1.6 MW wind turbine, which is reducing approximately 4,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year and providing the retired couple with essential income. The success of the farm has personal significance—Ken is the grandson of the original homesteaders, and his family has owned the land for nearly 100 years. From the porch of the house in which Ken was born, he and Ruth now can watch the turbine produce renewable energy.

Like Ken, Lesley Mammen also has strong ties to the region—he was born in Iowa and returned home after several years away. He and his wife, Nora, are hosting a 1.6 MW turbine through the Iowa Farms Wind Project. The Mammens can see a large wind farm from their property, which inspired them to investigate wind on their own land. They now receive income from the lease.

In addition to helping the local community, installations like the Iowa Farms Wind Project enhance the grid in important ways. Wind turbines scattered across a region temper the effects of wind energy’s variability and contribute to a more reliable grid.

In total, the Iowa Farms Wind Project will reduce approximately 92,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. But carbon credit revenues were necessary for project construction. The developer, 5045 Wind Partners, turned to NativeEnergy for help.

By purchasing Help Build™ carbon offsets, our clients helped Ken, Ruth, Lesley, and Nora bring two more 1.6 MW turbines online in this Iowa community.

Sustainable Development Benefits

• Initially projected to reduce 92,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution
• Replaces polluting grid-based electricity with renewable energy
• Helps stabilize the electric grid with distributed, small-scale power generation
• Provides an important source of income to family farms

Project Participants

This project is a collaborative effort among 5045 Wind Partners, LLC, the Benjegerdes, the Mammens, and NativeEnergy.

Validation and Verification

The project has been validated and the carbon offsets verified to the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).

Financial Additionality

In addition to meeting the stringent requirements of VCS, NativeEnergy  ensured that the project could not be built without the  revenue from carbon credits.