They stand like beacons against the California landscape. To most of us they are romantic. To ranchers and farmers like Ed Akin, windmills are a necessity.

Very simply, windmills harness wind power to pump water out of the ground. Tom Anderson began installing windmills in 1981.

Windmills arrived in North America with the earliest of settlers. In 1905 windmills sold for $8. Today, it would cost around $5,000 to purchase one and have it fully installed.

Anderson invited the California Heartland crew to watch him erect a 33-foot tower on Akin’s El Dorado County property. Akin’s farm is ideal for a windmill.

Anderson says the future of windmills is bright. Even in this technological age, windmills are a low maintenance, reliable source of energy. Our love affair with these time-honored symbols should ensure their preservation and keep them blowing, blowing, blowing in the wind.