(Video) Wind energy helps Texas rancher cope with costs

This report was filed by RFD-TV's Chris Greenwood. Chris has been with RFD-TV for over two years as a video journalist and producer. He travels the country showing rural America and how people utilize their land and live the rural lifestyle. The original article can be found here http://bit.ly/1k08WvK

Stephenville, TX – In today’s economy, it's important to get the most out of your land.

One Texas rancher is making every acre count.

Just how is he doing this? Well, let’s just say that things are up in the air.

"Out here at the Twisted J Ranch, you know, we’ve always primarily been a cow and horse operation. Here about five years ago, the wind power companies came in and they set up these windmills. It’s been really good. It’s been a good partnership. It’s helped out the bottom line, you know, with the cost of feed and the cost of hay, just the cost of doing business in this day and time. It’s really hard to do it in the cow and horse business. But it’s helped. Having windmills there has helped offset the cost of some of the stuff. They’ve come in there and set these turbines up. And for taking care of the land, we have really nice roads,” said Cody Johnson.

“On the hill there, looking down the road, looking at the windmills, you know, it’s a peaceful thing to me. It’s pretty to look at. And in the back of your mind the whole time, it’s a good cause. It’s 100 percent renewable energy. There’s enough power generated a year to supply enough for 25,000 homes. I mean, how can you go wrong? It hasn’t had any effect on the wildlife or the livestock here. They’ve got great roads. It’s just really cool to look up and see them spinning and think that you’re making a little of money and you’re helping the world out as you do it. So it’s a pretty good thing,” said Johnson.

The American Wind Energy Association says there are more than 46,000 utility-scale wind turbines in the country.