395A. Solar and Sheep - First generation farmer builds a thriving operation by combining the two

Green Energy Futures

Janna Greir and her partner Ryan always loved the idea of ranching, living in the country, and operating a small farm, but becoming a first-generation farmer is nearly impossible these days. That is until she discovered the combination of sheep and solar. The family had a dozen sheep until she landed a contract with Capital Power to manage the vegetation on their Strathmore Solar Farm. Janna has become something of an expert in vegetation management since then and the land is now much more productive and her flock has grown to more than 1,000 sheep on this one site alone. Janna has become a consultant, and is already further expanding her operation pointing to an amazing bright future for what is called agrivoltaics, the combining of solar and farming. Rather than gobble up farmland, she is improving productivity and dramatically improving the economics of being a farmer, first generation or otherwise. Part 1 in a 2 part series. GreenEnergyFutures CKUA.com Video Podcast BLOG at GreenEnergyFutures.ca