Dear Editor:

There is some confusion about the location of the proposed Goshen Solar site.

It will be on 1,200 acres, commonly referred to as “Bogville” about 12 miles SW of Yoder. It is grass pasture, surrounded by more than 50,000 acres of grass pasture.

Oscar Yoder still owned the site in the early 1980’s, when the feds put up huge transformers and ran two giant transmission lines across southeastern Goshen County.

The Otto family arrived here in 1900 and were good friends with the Yoders. We still have the 3J brand that was held by Oscar and J.A. (Art) Otto. We leased the land from him and bought it from his estate in 2001.

I have only been here 50 years but listening to three generations of Ottos talk about animals and grass; I’ve learned the highest, and probably only, use for this grass is grazing. This grass has survived world wars, depressions, droughts and floods and a sun that has only become hotter.

The years have also brought extreme economic recession to Goshen County. I miss the old eateries, stores, and amusements such as the bowling alley. And the loss of one of the first Taco John’s in the world cannot be overestimated. A great many people have moved away for jobs.

Several industries have been turned away because they threatened the bucolic nature of the area, but the solar farm will provide millions of dollars of tax money without altering the rural nature of Goshen County.

I don’t think even a cattleman like Oscar Yoder would object to sheep grazing on the grass, which is the plan for around and under the solar array.

There will be no emissions, no toxic run-off, and no unsightly vistas (unless you don’t like sheep).

The sun can bring a bright new future to Goshen County. (pun intended.)

Nancy Otto,

Yoder, Wyoming