Iowa’s growing wind industry offers landowners an opportunity to diversify income, but there are important questions to answer before signing a contract to install wind turbines, according to Kristine Tidgren, assistant director of Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation.

"These are long-term contracts, typically 30 or 40 years, so it’s worth investing in some legal advice to make sure you understand all the terms and your rights," she says. "You want it reviewed by a trusted counsel, someone who is used to looking at energy contracts and maybe has some experience negotiating with the energy companies."

Like other business contracts, wind turbine contracts are typically drafted with the energy...