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GARDEN TOWNSHIP -- Farms are abundant in the U.P., but a different type of farm is cropping up in Garden Township in Delta County.  It's called the Garden Wind Farm.  Up to 14 wind turbines will generate sustainable energy and income.

Heritage Sustainable Energy has leased more than 10,000 acres of land in the Garden Peninsula.

It may be hard to imagine, but soon wind turbines will dot the landscape.  Kevin Klink will have the first one built on his 210-acre property.

Landowners who host the turbines will receive a signing bonus for the lease.  They'll also get a recurring income from royalties.  And construction is set to begin this fall.

“My dream has always been to farm,” explains Klink.  “And in this day and age, it is hard to do."

The turbines will harness energy in the moving air and convert it into electricity.

Some residents are concerned about property value decreases, impacts to wildlife, and the noise.  But Klink said the concerns come mainly from older generations.

“They like the old U.P. that is a place to retire.  It’s kind of laid-back, slow-going,” Klink said.

But the pace will soon pick up, and so will the need for workers.

“We are working with local contractors to supply our concrete, supply our gravel,” said Andy Valdmanis of Heritage Sustainable Energy.  “They’ll haul the concrete, haul the gravel.  And our forester is a local forester."

Around 80 jobs will be created during next summer's construction.  And the key thing Heritage said they're committed to is finding these qualified workers from the U.P.