The American Solar Grazing Association was proud to wrap up our second “What to Expect When You’re Expecting Sheep” training for solar companies in Indiana this week! 

We had an incredible turnout at the workshop. ASGA certified grazing enthusiasts from 10 different solar companies and utilities on the basics of what successful solar sheep grazing looks like and how solar firms can prepare for enduring farmer partnerships. 

Participants also included representatives from solar technology manufacturers, nonprofits supporting agrivoltaics, and local government officials. We were humbled to see such strong interest in learning about successful solar grazing implementation from a wide spectrum of solar industry representatives and related fields. 

The Certification Training is part of ASGA’s mission to teach best practices to solar firms, build stronger relationships with the energy industry, and, in turn, create stronger foundations for successful solar grazier partnerships. The program complements our Solar Grazier Certification program, which teaches solar grazing standards to farmers.

At the Indiana training, solar graziers Greg Gunthorp and Evan Gunthorp  (Gunthorp Farms) led attendees on a tour of Lightsource bp’s Honeysuckle Solar. The Gunthorps manage vegetation on the large, 900-acre site with a flock of happy, pasture-raised solar sheep. Greg and Evan shared their expertise on solar grazing management alongside Lightsource bp’s Lexie Hain, who is a founder of ASGA and the current President of our Board of Directors. During the site visit, solar grazier Arlo Hark of Cannon Valley Graziers gave a fantastic breakdown of sheep grazing on sites with pollinator plants. The Gunthorp’s operation and Honeysuckle Solar provided an outstanding demonstration of successful, large-scale solar grazing in the Midwest.

During the morning session, American Lamb Board’s Camren Maierle provided a masterclass on understanding the ins and outs of sheep grazing on solar. Solar graziers Collin Kennedy  (Hoosier Solar Grazing), Arlo Hark, and the Gunthorps provided a wide range of solar grazing experience and expertise alongside Camren.

We have two more workshops coming this year and keep an eye out for the registration link on our website – https://solargrazing.org/solar-industry-certification/

• Halifax County, Virginia – September 23rd
• Pearsall, Texas – October 23rd

We want to express our gratitude to Lightsource bp and Array Technologies for graciously sponsoring the workshop and allowing us to put on this training! Thank you to Lightsource bp and Solv Energy for hosting us on Honeysuckle Solar. 

We’ll see you in Virginia and Texas!