A brand new documentary from the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) spotlights a rising motion that’s reworking each agriculture and renewable power. “Pastures and Panels” tells the story of farmers and ranchers revitalizing household farms by grazing sheep on photo voltaic power websites, making a resilient mannequin that produces meals, fiber and power for the nation — all on the identical land. The movie is now streaming on YouTube.
A nonetheless from the documentary “Pastures and Panels”
Photo voltaic grazing is the apply of elevating livestock on land that can be producing photo voltaic power. It turns photo voltaic initiatives into productive ranches that keep vegetation naturally whereas serving to feed and dress People via the manufacturing of meat and wool.
Based on ASGA’s 2024 Solar Grazing Census, greater than 130,000 acres of photo voltaic are being grazed by sheep throughout 30 states. The potential is even higher. America at present imports greater than 70% of the lamb it consumes. By increasing photo voltaic grazing, farmers can strengthen home agriculture and convey extra of that manufacturing residence.
The movie follows households akin to Daniel Dotterer’s in Pennsylvania, whose farm dates again to the 1700s. After many years of financial wrestle, Dotterer discovered a brand new method ahead through the use of sheep to handle vegetation on giant photo voltaic websites.
“It’s not simply grazing,” Dotterer says within the movie. “It’s a brand new option to farm — one which’s sustainable, worthwhile, and offers the subsequent technology an opportunity.”
Photo voltaic grazing offers ranchers with entry to land that was beforehand unavailable or too expensive to hire. Now, photo voltaic venture homeowners pay livestock producers to handle vegetation, providing regular earnings whereas sustaining agricultural manufacturing. This partnership helps household farms keep viable and, in lots of instances, increase.
Photo voltaic grazing advantages power firms as effectively. Actual-world information from working websites exhibits that grazing is cost-competitive with mowing and may scale back upkeep prices over time. Sheep are extremely efficient at controlling vegetation whereas supporting wholesome soil, pollinator habitat, and native land-use targets. It’s a sensible resolution that advantages each the land and the underside line.
Photo voltaic grazing can be drawing youthful farmers and extra girls into agriculture. ASGA’s 2024 Census discovered that over one-third of photo voltaic graziers are girls, and the common age of individuals is youthful than the nationwide common for farmers. By pairing ranching with photo voltaic, farmers are protecting multi-generational farms alive and constructing stronger native economies for the subsequent technology.
The documentary “Pastures and Panels” is now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9CY0IpkLNFY
