Out and About with Owen: CattleTracker Workshop
BLUFFTON, GA – I’m in the truck and ready for the farm tour. I’m in good company with Anne Clare Monzelun, Will Harris, Nick de Vries, Ethan Winter, Josh Bennett, Robert Clement, Jordan Macknick, Becca Jones-Albertus, Shawn Canady, Rebecca Mitchell, Halley Miklos, Sarah Willis, Michael Storch, Lily Edwards-Callaway.
Breaking bread! Me (on the left) and Ethan Winter, American Farmland Trust’s (AFT) National Smart Solar Director, about to enjoy solar grazed lamb! Want to try some? Shop White Oak Pastures here and have it delivered to your door.
I headed down south to an event called CattleTracker Workshop, hosted by Silicon Ranch, their research partners from Colorado State University (CSU) and Quanterra, DOE SETO, and our friends at the Center for Agricultural Resilience (CFAR) - Rethinking agriculture, rebuilding ecosystems. CFAR was built to educate thought leaders on the environmental, economic and social benefits of building resilient animal, plant and human ecosystems that can nourish our communities. Pretty awesome, right?
The conference aimed to deepen our understanding of the CattleTracker research approach, explore future research expansions planned by Silicon Ranch, DOE SETO, and their collaborating researchers, and to engage with industry leaders about their insights into grazing photovoltaics.
The inaugural day of the conference provided an in-depth look at the broad research themes under discussion. Participants had the unique opportunity to visit a solar grazing site, which utilizes sheep in the maintenance and upkeep of solar farms, following an enlightening farm tour.
She blinded us with science!
The fantastic Anna Clare Monlezun, PhD depicting the carbon cycles research underway on Lancaster Solar Farm with Quanterra, CSU, and NREL.
On the second day, the focus shifted towards honing in on the research scope. Attention was directed toward extracting valuable insights from sheep grazing studies, particularly in relation to the carbon cycle and how cattle interact with solar panels and support structures. The day concluded with a tour of a demonstration site for the innovative CattleTracker project, where discussions centered around research methodology and design.
Solar farm-to-table!
Solar grazing ewes and lambs herded to their next pasture to chow-down on some delicious vegetation whilst contributing to carbon sequestration. Win/win!
Keep CFAR on your radar - this was a great conference with focused learning and fantastic, knowledgeable people. CFAR made sure my stay in Bluffton was excellent and helped curate, along with all the research partners and Silicon Ranch, a collaborative and immersive experience for all the attendees.
SHOUT OUT to my B&B: The Willis Country Home. The couple that runs this place are the sweetest people in the world and have the best breakfast spread I have known.
I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to White Oak Pastures and Will Harris for hosting solar developers and being at the forefront of regenerative grazing practices in the United States. Thank you for “Giving a Damn!”
Pick up your signed copy of his book, Bold Return to Giving a Damn.
Where is Owen next? Meet up with me at AgriVoltaics World Conference 2024!
Lightstar is a sponsor and I will be on hand to talk about racking design, crop genetics and selection, and research interests in cattle grazing and crop yields, just to name a few topics…Hope to see you there!
Stay tuned for Owen’s next installment of “Out and About With Owen!”
Meet Owen Deitcher, a dynamic Development Associate at Lightstar, whose passion for community solar and agrivoltaics illuminates his work and personal adventures. Owen isn't just part of our team; he's the heart of our mission, bringing the spirit of community to everything we do in solar energy. Travelling across the country and occasionally Europe, he dives deep into rural communities, engaging with farmers and locals, enriching his understanding, and advocating for a brighter, sustainable future. Beyond his professional pursuits, Owen’s love for travel and meeting new people fuels his quest for knowledge and connection, making him a true advocate for rural communities and sustainable development. Join Owen on his mission to empower communities through solar energy, one conversation at a time.