Dr. Judy St. Leger grew up in New York State and graduated from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. For the past 30 years, she’s enjoyed a brilliant career as a veterinary pathologist traveling the globe teaching and working on wildlife health. Her commitment to conservation includes not just exotic wildlife but also American farms, farmers, and farm land. In addition to shepherding, Judy spends time riding horses and promoting her community’s rich history and exciting present.
In 2009, she and her husband, Marc purchased a small, historic farm in the Mohawk River Valley of New York. They have been restoring the farm and raising grass-fed lamb and breeding stock to enhance the American lamb market. Income from the sheep pays for the farm restoration.
In 2018, Judy had her first foray into solar grazing when she partnered with another local farmer to manage vegetation on a small array. That enterprise led her to meet Lexie Hain and one thing led to another as they tend to do.
Judy’s a founding member of ASGA and currently serves on the ASGA Advisory Board. She sees solar grazing and agrivoltaics as a way to keep solar farms farming. With the challenges facing the dairy industry in the northeast, shifting to sheep might just be a way to save some farm families.
Learn more about Dutch Barn Farm here: www.dutchbarnfarm.com
As we celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer, ASGA is proud to recognize the women across our solar grazing community who are advancing agriculture through innovation, stewardship, and leadership. Follow along as we share their stories and celebrate the many ways they’re helping shape the future of farming. Happy International Year of the Woman Farmer! #IYWF2026
Learn more about the United Nations FAO International Year of the Woman Farmer here: https://www.fao.org/woman-farmer-2026/en