Originally published Star-Tribune by Diana McFarland

www.chathamstartribune.com/news/article_7087729c-35ca-11ed-8ef7-d7f04710decc.html

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For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Marcus Gray
434-258-4232

​Two young families are joining forces to promote sheep farming as the future standard of photovoltaic site stewardship. S’Mores Hollow Farm & Kitchen Sink Farm are teaming up with their respective vegetation programs to offer the full array of services needed by the burgeoning ground-mounted solar industry.   Out of this partnership, two new companies were created; SHF Solar Services, Inc and Gray’s LAMBscaping.  The collaboration between SHF Solar Service, Inc and Gray’s LAMBscaping will provide mechanical and grazing options at the landscape level that will support local agricultural interests. Lance & Heather Tabor of SHF Solar Services, Inc has been working on solar properties in North Carolina to develop best practices that are transferable to the situations found across the region. Marcus & Jess Gray of Gray’s LAMBscaping have been increasing their number of sheep in anticipation of the specific role that shepherding will play moving forward and building a network of producers.   
 
“I’m excited about the ability of this partnership to bring the full suite of land management options to solar in a big way.”
 
 -Lance Tabor, President of SHF Solar Services
 
As the scale of solar array construction increases across the Mid-Atlantic, particularly in Virginia, novel solutions must be employed to meet the various objectives of stakeholders. Localities are wanting to see farming practices to retain the rural character of their communities. Over time, as flocks of sheep grow, managing thousands of acres with animals becomes possible. During this transitory phase, from mechanical mowing and spraying being the primary methods of plant control, a combination of grazing and equipment is necessary to address invasive or unpalatable plant species distributions. During times of rapid grass and forb growth or if a site has been neglected it may be necessary to mow ahead of the sheep. However, the integration of following up with weed management behind sheep grazing will promote desirable plants for animal performance, wildlife habitat, stormwater mitigation and other benefits. The dual technique will also help foster wildflower plantings where pollinator habitat resources are preferred.
 
“Bringing new solutions to the area that address resource concerns in a cost-effective way is critical to the continued success of solar projects with decision-makers.”
 
                                    -Jess Gray, Co-Owner of Gray’s LAMBscaping
 
Expansion of the solar industry allows an opportunity for aspiring farmers to enter agriculture or help existing operations grow. Limitations for beginning and seasoned producers include access to land and operating capital. Most people are familiar with the rental agreements and tax incentives paid to individual property owners and municipalities working with businesses to construct projects but being compensated for vegetation management services on land you can farm without buying it can smooth the transition to eventual land ownership for farmers. This will go a long way toward saving family farms. By integrating crops and livestock, a variety of enterprises could be compatible with renewable energy generation. The need to maintain the plants growing beneath the panels without damaging infrastructure has caused sheep grazing to be identified as a driving force to create future jobs and stimulate economic activity in the region. On-farm positions are diverse from daily animal husbandry to marketing but work related to meat processing, retail butcher shops, restaurant sales, tourism and more will all be positively influenced.
 
 
SHF Solar Services, Inc, headquartered in Henderson, NC, is the land management division of S’mores Hollow Farm. The company is able to meet mowing & other needs to help landowners realize their goals.
 
Gray’s LAMBscaping, based in Chatham, VA, is a project of Kitchen Sink Farm. The entity provides range management practices, habitat consultations and other environmental stewardship activities.

Photos courtesy of SHF Solar Services.