ASGA is proud to announce that 34 more graziers have earned their ASGA Certified Solar Grazing certification following our recent workshop in Madison, Wisconsin! Held September 16-17, this two-day training brought together grazeiers and industry professionals to explore ASGA’s Solar Grazing Standards and build the knowledge and skills needed to establish successful solar grazing operations.
We are grateful to Caroline Owens, Breanna Reed, Eric Bronson, Niko Kochendoerfer, Jess Gray, and Dr. Judy St. Leger for for sharing their expertise and leading the classroom sessions. We covered a range of topics, including sheep management and welfare, vegetation management strategies, bids and proposals, grazing models and stocking rates, budgets, contracts, and logistics planning. In preparation for the workshop, students also completed four virtual courses to build a foundation for the in-person training.
The workshop continued in the field with a tour of MG&E’s Tyto and Strix solar sites. Beau Stafford of Wiscovery Farm discussed his solar grazing operation and answered questions. Representatives from Nofence also joined the tour to share how Beau incorporates virtual fencing collars into his operation and discuss the technology’s applications in the solar grazing industry.
This training also also marked an exciting milestone for ASGA. Executive Director Stacie Peterson announced the launch of our new 501c3, the American Solar Grazing and Growing Association, expanding our opportunities to support research, education, and the growth of agrivoltaics.
To close out the event, participants gathered at Wiscovery Farm for an Agrisolar Farm-to-Table event hosted as part of our new Wisconsin Solar Grazing Network. The gathering brought together newly certified graziers and agrivoltaic supporters from across the state and country for an evening of solar-grown food, networking, and community building.
We had an incredible time in Wisconsin and are grateful to everyone who helped make the training and Agrisolar Farm-to-Table such a big success. A huge thank you to Beau and Grace Stafford of Wiscovery Farm, Chef Mateo Mackbee, Amber Meyer Smith and the Daybreak Fund, Clean Wisconsin, Crown Family Philanthropies, Scott Laeser, Rural Climate Partnership, Madison Gas and Electric, OneEnergy, Rob Davis, and InSPIRE Agrivoltaics for their support and contributions.
Congratulations to our 34 newly certified solar graziers! We look forward to seeing how they put their training into practice and continue to strengthen the solar grazing community!
