Landowner Spotlight: Vicki Ashley
Vicki Ashley is a fourth-generation landowner at Avangrid’s Bakeoven and Daybreak solar projects in Wasco County, Oregon. We caught up with Vicki during a recent visit to the site.
How long have you been on the land? Have things changed?
The family has been here for almost 100 years, but I’ve been here for about 45 years. It’s totally changed from the dryland wheat to the solar project. This particular area was used for dryland wheat and cattle grazing before Avangrid built the solar project. We still have many acres that we use for cattle grazing.
Why did you partner with Avangrid?
This area of Oregon has been in a drought for the past 15 years. There was no way the ranch could make it on farming, versus what Avangrid could pay to rent the land to produce the power needed in Portland. Partnering with Avangrid will help to keep this land in my family for years to come. Legally, this land will pass on to our daughters. Then it will go to the grandchildren. A portion of it will also go to my three nephews. This land has been in the family for four generations, and at the end of the solar lease, it will be in our family for six generations. I have deeds for some of this land that were granted by the federal government with Homestead Act certification from President Teddy Roosevelt.
What has it been like working with Avangrid?
Overall, the experience has been great. Initially, we had no experience working with companies like Avangrid. We didn’t understand everything when things got started, and had never worked with construction companies. We learned over time. Now, the operational guys are easy to work with. They explain what will happen beforehand, which is really nice to know.
What do you think of your land now?
I have become accustomed to the solar farm. I barely notice it anymore, and overall, my experience with solar has been positive. It’s not hurting the ground or changing the atmosphere. I don’t think its damaged the land at all. Avangrid has been good with the weed control. This experience has caused me to realize there is more than one way to use our land. If it’s productive in a way that helps others, then I am okay with it. I wasn’t able to produce the crops that I needed to sustain myself. I think there are multiple uses for these dry farms with poor soil, and with the solar farm, I believe we’re using it to our best use.
