Solar Ranch Xperts

The American Solar Grazing Association is excited to announce that the American Lamb Board will be hosting an ASGA Certified Solar Grazing Training for farmers from May 5th to 7th in Sulphur Springs, TX. The workshop is sponsored by Enel North America and the onsite portion of the training will be hosted on their Stampede Solar Site in Hopkins County, TX. Stampede Solar is a utility scale solar site grazed by JR Howard of Texas Solar Sheep, an ASGA Advisory Board Member. American Lamb Board’s Camren Maierle will lead the workshop. Over the 3-day training, participants will learn the solar grazing training standards set by ASGA, which covers the basic subjects a sheep rancher should be versed in to manage vegetation on a solar site. The workshop includes a live demonstration on a site grazed by solar sheep. Register for the workshop here: https://lnkd.in/gCKkCt83 The ASGA Certification Program is part of our ongoing efforts to develop a workforce of qualified solar graziers and help sheep farmers realize the incredible opportunity solar grazing presents. To receive the ASGA Certification, workshop participants are required to also be ASGA members. Join ASGA here: https://lnkd.in/gpkE2i5b We thank Enel North America and their Director of Sustainability Projects and Community Affairs, Jesse Puckett, for supporting this workshop and our farmer Certification program! Learn more about ASGA’s Certification program here: https://lnkd.in/evPWDzk8

It’s been an exciting year for agrivoltaics. The American Solar Grazing Association is having their annual meeting. Members, register here. See you there! 🌱🐑 #SolarRanchXperts #VegetationManagement #solar #sheep #soilhealth #waterinfiltration #biodiversity #grass #forbes #pollinator #habitat #photosynthesis #solarenergy #regenerativeagriculture #regenag #grazing #WestTexas #Texas #agrivoltaics #agriculture #photovoltaics #ag #land #dualuse #grazing #solarsheep #dorpers #katahdins #stcroix #royalwhites

From Minnesota to Massachusetts, solar grazing is growing rapidly — and providing benefits to farmers and communities alike. Check out Jason Allen's coverage on CBS News ⤵️

🌞 ⚡ + 🌸 = 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🌞 ⚡ + 🌸 = 🦋 🐛 🐞 🌞 ⚡ + 🐑 = 🌱 Confirmed. Adding native vegetation and sheep to our solar supports thriving pollinator populations and natural ecosystems. Swipe to see how dual-use solar makes a difference at our power plants. For more about our approach to environmental sustainability, visit: http://ms.spr.ly/6043oCr45

Solar grazing is the most impactful agrivoltaic industry to date, because it is routing millions of dollars directly into the hands of farmers who are currently managing +100,000 acres of solar shaded pastures in the USA. Farmers who believe in a bright future for the American Sheep Industry filled 3 ballrooms, twice, at ASI's Annual Convention. #1: A 90-minute panel on Solar Grazing: Energizing the Sheep Industry. https://lnkd.in/etfPNV5v #2: A screening of the ASGA Documentary Film Full Feature: Pastures and Panels. https://lnkd.in/eEBkZfem It was a powerful few days, and personally quite energizing. Engaging directly with farmers who are building their agrivoltaics businesses, and who are willing to speak up and share the promise of agrivoltaics... well, it will make you all find strength you didn't know you had. Cheers to our wonderful agrivoltaic partnerships, may they all flourish in 2025.

What a remarkable year 2024 has been for our woolly friends under solar panels. It’s more than an understatement to say that 2024 was the biggest year yet for solar grazing and agrivoltaics. There’s no better proof than the growth the American Solar Grazing Association and our members have experienced: ASGA has now surpassed 1000 members! In fact, as of today we’re at 1,048 and counting as new farmers, developers, researchers, and grazing enthusiasts join every week. We wish you and your family a happy holiday season and give our heartfelt thanks to our members, our partners, our supporters, and all of those who have worked to advance solar grazing. You can read on to learn about what we achieved in 2024, but please consider supporting ASGA at the end of the year. • If you are a solar company or in a related industry, consider sponsoring ASGA with a corporate membership. https://lnkd.in/e2VYdy-b • If you are an Ag company, landscaping firm, seedhouse, startup company or anything in between, consider sponsoring ASGA. https://lnkd.in/e2VYdy-b • If you are an individual, you can donate to ASGA or join our network as a paying member. https://lnkd.in/evrnBurJ You're support goes to helping us build out our farmer education programs and developing crucial best practices and standards for the industry. #solargrazing #agrivoltaics #sheep #happyholidays

Earthworms as architects of soil ecosystem functions 🪱🚧 💡 Earthworms play a key role in soil health by facilitating critical biogeochemical processes underpinning the functioning of the terrestrial ecosystem. 🧪 Earthworms demonstrate high adaptability to soil pH and oxygen levels, tolerating ranges from pH 5-8 and varying oxygen conditions, though they are sensitive to ammonia-based fertilizers due to the acidic conditions these substances create. 🪱 Earthworms are ecologically classified into three types with varying capacities to modify soil physicochemical and biological properties: ⬆️ Litter-dwellers inhabit surface plant litter, primarily consuming plant residues and potentially disappearing in heavily cultivated soils lacking organic surface cover. ↔️ Mineral soil-dwellers occupy topsoil rich in organic matter, creating narrow burrowing channels and consuming a mixed diet of soil and plant residues. ⬇️ Deep soil-burrowers, tend to excavate extensive, deep burrows and transport plant residues into lower soil layers for consumption. 1️⃣ PEDOGENESIS (soil formation) The earthworm's cutaneous mucus forms complexes with soil minerals, promoting microaggregate formation, thereby contributing to soil formation processes. In favorable conditions, they can form a considerable amount of cast (~ 50 t/ha annually), enough to form a layer 5 mm deep. 2️⃣ SOIL STRUCTURE Earthworms play a crucial role in improving soil characteristics through their burrowing activities, modifying the physical structure of soils by producing new aggregates and pores, which improves soil tilth, aeration, infiltration and drainage. 3️⃣ WATER REGULATION Improvement of water infiltration through their burrowing activities, creating channels that enhance the soil's water retention and movement capabilities. 4️⃣ NUTRIENT CYCLING Earthworm cast is enriched with nutrients (N, P, K, and Ca) and microorganisms during its passage through the worm’s digestive system. 5️⃣ POLLUTION REMEDIATION Epigeic earthworm species like Eisenia fetida and E. andrei offer robust bioremediation capabilities in organic matter-rich polluted soils. 6️⃣ CROP PRODUCTIVITY Earthworms contribute significantly to agricultural productivity, accounting for 6.45% of global cereal crop output and 2.3% of legume crop production through their impacts on soil structure and plant-microbe interactions. 7️⃣ BIODIVERSITY The complex interactions between earthworms, other macrofauna, soil microorganisms, and mycorrhizal fungi demonstrate their critical role in maintaining and enhancing soil biodiversity. 8️⃣ CLIMATE REGULATION By improving soil structure, enhancing organic carbon trapping, and supporting soil health, earthworms indirectly contribute to climate regulation through better soil ecosystem management and resilience. Image: soil ecosystem services provided by earthworms (credits: Sanchez-Hernandez et al. 2024; DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-64510-5_19). #soil #agriculture

ASGA brings together the community of farmers, solar developers, researchers, and innovators who are building that future. Our Mission is to help support the growth of solar grazing in a sustainable way that benefits farmers and communities. We have membership options for individuals and families, as well as for companies and organizations. Please consider supporting these goals with a donation, new membership or sponsor.  https://lnkd.in/evrnBurJ #givingtuesday  --- ASGA is an IRS recognized not for profit, founded in New York State. Our FEIN is 83-4108406. Your donation can be counted as a business expense. We depend upon the support of the Pace Unversity's Elisabeth Haub School of Law for our legal support, for which we are incredibly thankful.

how amazing to see!!! wind turbines on the skyline and grid scale solar supporting Indiana agriculture! * less fertilizers * less herbicides and pesticides * less soil loss / erosion * less fossil fuels used * more carbon sequestration * more domestic food * more domestic energy * more ecological diversity * more money for the landowner * more money for the tenant farmer * better vegetation management * better farming it's a win win and a huge shout out to some of the amazing companies we are working with in Indiana, helping to pave the way for this synergistic approach to vegetation management, #Doral #EDP #Nisource #AES we look forward to the future of #agrivoltaics and #solarsheep