One of four livestock guardian dogs leads and gathers the flock during a recent demonstration at the Silicon Ranch Solar site in Logan County.
One of four livestock guardian dogs leads and gathers the flock during a recent demonstration at the Silicon Ranch Solar site in Logan County.
Beneath thousands of high-tech solar panels in Logan County, a flock of 800 sheep is performing a job traditionally reserved for diesel-powered lawnmowers.
The operation is led by Brad Carothers, owner of New Slate Land Management, and his business partner and wife, Katie. The couple recently relocated from Ohio to south-central Kentucky to grow their business, which merges age-old agricultural techniques with modern renewable energy infrastructure.
Currently, 800 ewes graze the site, a number Carothers expects will grow to 2,000 when the facility is fully stocked. The flock consists primarily of Katahdin and Katahdin-Dorper hair sheep, breeds chosen specifically for the local climate.
“We chose this breed for its excellent maternal abilities and parasite resistance to the hot, humid weather,” Carothers said.
While most solar farms utilize mechanical mowing, Carothers argues that sheep provide a “regenerative” benefit that machines cannot match. Using livestock keeps the land in agricultural production rather than turning it into a strictly industrial site.
“When sheep are used for vegetation management, the land remains in agriculture versus strictly mechanical mowing,” Carothers said. “Grazing sheep promotes nutrient cycling and feeds soil microbes that make up a healthy grassland ecosystem. Their animal impact and waste contribute to the gradual buildup of organic matter and topsoil.”
The partnership also reduces physical risks to the multimillion-dollar solar infrastructure. Unlike tractors, which can accidentally throw rocks into panels or bump into equipment, sheep move safely around the arrays.
In turn, the solar panels provide a unique benefit to the flock. The arrays offer shelter from sun, wind, rain, and snow. During the peak of summer, the panels limit sun exposure to the ground, preventing the soil from drying out and creating a more favorable environment for grass growth.
Managing a flock in a specialized environment requires unique logistics. Water is provided via a hay wagon carrying large totes filled from an on-site source. Carothers also provides minerals, salt, and standard veterinary care similar to a traditional farm setting.
To protect the herd from local predators like coyotes, the site is patrolled by four livestock guardian dogs, including Maremma, Akbash, and Anatolian Shepherds.
By implementing sheep grazing, Carothers estimated that mechanical mowing is typically reduced by 50% to 75%, significantly lowering diesel fuel and chemical herbicide use on the property.
The partnership began when Silicon Ranch, the owner of the solar site, purchased breeding stock from the Carothers’ Ohio farm for a project in Georgia. When the Logan County site opened, it provided the couple with an opportunity to expand their operations and move to Kentucky permanently.
For Carothers, who grew up in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, before starting a seedstock flock, the model offers a stability that traditional livestock markets often lack.
“We are vegetation management contractors and shepherds,” Carothers said. “The stable income from the vegetation management contract is important to growing our business.”
He believes this model could be a solution for other Kentucky farmers looking to diversify their land use, especially for first-generation farmers who struggle to find affordable access to land.
Carothers noted that the biggest misconception about solar grazing is that the animals are brought in only for “photo ops” and then removed.
“The sheep live on the site year-round,” Carothers said. “When people drive by, often they won’t see sheep from the road. This is because they are rotationally grazed throughout the site and may only be in one particular area for three to four weeks per year.”
Looking ahead, the “New Slate” legacy aims to be one of community integration. Carothers has hired local employees, purchased supplies from local stores, and plans to work with local schools to educate the next generation about the intersection of agriculture and energy.
“The sheep and solar industries working together are an excellent example of merging agriculture and energy production for the future,” Carothers said.
Your comment has been submitted.
Reported
There was a problem reporting this.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
We’re always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what’s going on!
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.
We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Account processing issue – the email address may already exist
News updates with easy access to our e-edition.
Stay informed with story highlights and direct links to today’s digital paper.
More news. Faster updates. Free.
Our newsletter brings you expanded coverage and the latest headlines, keeping you informed with the stories that matter most.
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
A receipt was sent to your email.
