In this review session, we walked through proposed updates to the ASGA Solar Grazing Contract. The session was hosted by Kevin Richardson and Camren Maierle as this month’s Grazing with Cam. Hope Newkirk and Andrew Lander, student interns from the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic at Pace Law, walked us through the updates and responded to feedback from audience members.

The session covered updates across several sections of the MSA, with the most substantive changes addressing vegetation maintenance standards, delayed commencement of grazing, late payment provisions, and notification requirements for maintenance or emergency conditions.

MSA Template Background
The ASGA Solar Grazing Contract Template was first developed in 2018 through a partnership with Pace University’s Food and Beverage Law Clinic (now the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic), with input from founding ASGA members. It was created to provide a standardized starting point for agreements between graziers and solar companies, addressing a rapidly emerging need in the industry. The template has since become a widely used baseline document across solar grazing operations.

In 2022, the template was revised to reflect the industry’s shift toward larger, utility-scale projects and more geographically diverse operations. This update introduced a modular Master Services Agreement (MSA) structure, where the MSA defines overarching terms and Statements of Work (SOWs) capture site-specific details. This approach allows a single agreement framework to be used across multiple sites while maintaining flexibility.

The template is publicly available and typically customized during negotiations with solar companies and their legal teams. The 2026 update builds on this foundation, incorporating feedback from ASGA members, board representatives, and industry partners. Finalization and public release are targeted for early May 2026.

Updates to the Contract
The updated contract includes a terminology shift from “sheep farmer” and “sheep grazing” to “solar grazier” and “solar grazing,” reflecting the evolution of the industry. It also introduces a structured late fee provision, allowing for interest on overdue invoices and optional administrative fees. A new service suspension clause provides graziers with a way to pause work in cases of non-payment without immediately terminating the agreement.

Additional updates strengthen how vegetation management is defined within the contract. Grazing is established as the primary method, while still allowing mechanical methods when needed based on professional judgment or site-specific requirements. This ensures flexibility while maintaining clarity around performance expectations.

The revision also adds protections and clearer responsibilities for both parties. A new delayed commencement section outlines notification requirements, extension timelines, and options if project start dates are pushed back. Site manager duties have also been expanded to include gate security, communication around electric fencing, and disclosure of hazardous equipment or emergency conditions.