Fenner Renewable Energy Education Center adds first paid outreach role

The Fenner Renewable Energy Education Center in Madison County has hired its first paid outreach coordinator, marking a milestone for CNY renewable education efforts. The new position is funded by a grant from the Central New York Community Foundation.

By CNY Signal News Team. October 5, 2026.

Elizabeth Crofut stepped into her new role as the Fenner Renewable Energy Education (FREE) Center’s first paid outreach coordinator this fall, according to Eagle News. Crofut, who previously served on the center’s board, brings three decades of nonprofit experience to the job. Her hiring marks a turning point for the grassroots organization, which has relied on volunteers since its founding in 2006.

The outreach coordinator position is part-time and funded by a grant from the Central New York Community Foundation. The foundation’s support allows the FREE Center to expand its educational mission and connect with more residents, schools, and community groups across Madison County and Central New York.

The FREE Center sits on the grounds of the 30-megawatt Fenner Wind Farm, just off Buyea Road in the Town of Fenner. The wind farm’s turbines have become a familiar sight for drivers heading east from Cazenovia or north from Chittenango. Since 2006, the center has hosted public tours, school field trips, and community events, all focused on wind power and sustainability.

By The Numbers

• 30 megawatts: Capacity of the Fenner Wind Farm, per Eagle News.
• 2006: Year the FREE Center was founded, according to Eagle News.
• 1: Number of paid outreach coordinators now employed by the FREE Center, per Eagle News.

The Fenner Wind Farm’s 30-megawatt capacity means it can generate enough electricity to power thousands of homes in Madison County and beyond. The turbines, visible from Route 13 and Fenner East Road, have become a local landmark and a symbol of Central New York’s push toward renewable energy.

Since opening its doors, the FREE Center has welcomed students from districts like Cazenovia, Chittenango, and Morrisville-Eaton. Teachers have brought classes to see the turbines up close and learn how wind energy is converted to electricity. The center’s volunteers have also hosted workshops for scout troops, 4-H clubs, and local environmental groups.

What this means for Central New York

With Crofut in the outreach coordinator role, the FREE Center plans to ramp up its programming. The center’s board expects to offer more guided tours, hands-on science activities, and classroom visits in the coming year. Crofut’s background in nonprofit management and her ties to the community give the center a new level of capacity for organizing events and building partnerships.

According to Eagle News, the Central New York Community Foundation’s grant makes it possible for the center to expand its reach. The foundation, based in Syracuse, has a history of supporting educational and environmental initiatives across Onondaga and Madison counties. Its funding for the FREE Center is part of a broader effort to boost STEM education and sustainability awareness in Central New York.

The FREE Center’s mission is to educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy and sustainable practices. With a dedicated outreach coordinator, the center can now offer more programming, build partnerships, and bring renewable energy topics to a wider audience across Madison County and beyond.

Interest in clean energy has grown in Central New York over the past decade. The Fenner Wind Farm, which began operating in 2001, was one of the first large-scale wind projects in the state. Since then, other wind and solar projects have been proposed or built in nearby towns, including projects in Madison, Stockbridge, and Sullivan. The FREE Center’s expanded outreach could help inform public discussions about these projects and provide resources for residents curious about renewable energy.

For CNY residents, this comes as Central New York continues to see interest in clean energy, especially with large-scale projects like the Fenner Wind Farm and ongoing discussions about solar and wind expansion. The FREE Center’s growth may also support local schools and community groups looking for educational resources on sustainability, as covered in our CNY education section.

Context: A milestone for grassroots renewable education

The FREE Center has operated for 20 years as a volunteer-driven organization, according to Eagle News. Its location at the Fenner Wind Farm, which produces 30 megawatts of electricity, makes it a unique site for renewable energy education in Central New York. The center’s mission has focused on public tours, school visits, and community events to raise awareness about wind power and sustainability.

Volunteers have kept the center running for two decades, organizing everything from open houses to science fairs. The center’s annual “Wind Power Day” draws families from across Madison County, with activities like turbine tours, model-building workshops, and talks from local engineers. over the past few years, the center has also partnered with SUNY Morrisville and the Madison County Cornell Cooperative Extension to offer teacher training sessions on renewable energy topics.

With the addition of a paid outreach coordinator, the center is positioned to increase its impact. Elizabeth Crofut brings 30 years of nonprofit experience and a history with the FREE Center as a former board member. Her hiring, made possible by the Central New York Community Foundation’s grant, is expected to help the center reach more schools, civic groups, and residents interested in renewable energy.

This move comes at a time when Central New York is seeing renewed focus on clean energy, from the state level down to local towns. The Fenner Wind Farm remains one of the largest wind projects in Central New York, and the FREE Center’s expanded outreach could help inform public discussions about future renewable projects in Madison County and neighboring Onondaga County.

State and local officials have pointed to the Fenner Wind Farm as an example of how rural towns can benefit from renewable energy. The wind farm generates tax revenue for the Town of Fenner and the Morrisville-Eaton Central School District. It also provides lease payments to local landowners who host turbines on their property. The FREE Center’s educational programs help connect these economic benefits to broader conversations about sustainability and energy policy in Central New York.

Looking ahead: Opportunities for CNY

As the FREE Center grows its outreach, local schools and organizations may see new opportunities for field trips, workshops, and educational partnerships. The center’s focus on sustainability aligns with broader trends in CNY, including interest in green jobs and energy innovation. For updates on business and education developments, visit our local business news and Syracuse schools pages.

Elizabeth Crofut’s first priorities include reaching out to science teachers in Madison and Onondaga counties, updating the center’s curriculum materials, and organizing a new series of public open houses. The center also plans to work with local libraries and youth organizations to offer renewable energy workshops in towns like Canastota, Oneida, and Hamilton.

Community members interested in volunteering or attending events can contact the FREE Center through its website. The center’s board hopes that with Crofut’s leadership, they can double the number of school groups and community organizations served each year. The goal is to make renewable energy education accessible to more people, from elementary students to retirees curious about wind and solar power.

Where to check for updates

For more information on the Fenner Renewable Energy Education Center and upcoming programs, visit the FREE Center’s official website or follow announcements from the Central New York Community Foundation.

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Sources

• Eagle News, details on the FREE Center’s new outreach coordinator and grant funding