Fund and Dreams LLC (Fund and Dreams) has received an approval from the Rockingham county for a 48-foot windmill. The 48-foot windmill will be located on Camp Horizon's property in Oakwood, Virginia. The windmill is comprised of three 6-foot blades and will be deployed on a monopole on the 300-acre camp. The tower will be 110 feet from the nearest property line. Fund and Dreams intends to install this tower within June 2009.

In March 2009, an approval for a same sized windmill was granted for a farmer in Singers Glen. In December 2008, the Rockingham county has approved a plan to build a 185-foot meteorological test tower on a private mountaintop near Criders. The tower is the first step required for building a wind farm.

This type of supplemental energy is going to become part of the agricultural life in this county and we better get used to it, said Supervisor Pablo Cuevas. Farmers are looking for additional ways to supplement their electrical needs. This is essential and needs to be supported.

John Hall, the applicant and owner of Camp Horizons, has reported that the basic reason for installing the windmill is to educate the children who visit the camp about energy. In this regard, the camp also uses solar panels.

We want to help them understand where energy comes from, Hall said. We want to help change the perception about energy. We also want to showcase ourselves as sort of a premier green component to our region.

Two neighbors have raised concerns about the project.

Willie Davis, one of the neighbors, has questioned the speed of the windmill blades and the possible harm the substation can cause to wildlife.

Is [the substation] going to be fenced so wildlife can’t get to it? Davis asked. My cat, a dog, a skunk or whatever; are they going to be electrocuted? The turkey buzzard, it’s an endangered species. Is there liability insurance to cover all of this stuff?

Responding to Davis, John Hall assured that the substation is safe and the device was built to withstand high winds.

Chris Reisch, another neighbor, opposed the windmill as he could see it from his house.

I set up my house with westerly views in mind, Reisch said. I like looking west. I think the sentiment is great, I guess I’m guilty of being ‘not in my front yard.