Behold: the incredible conversion of solar energy to carbohydrates and oxygen, which, in turn, provides energy for our animals. And, ultimately, us.
Here, the herd is checking out (and sneaking some edges of) a new seeding. Even
as the daylight period fades, this lush pasture will continue to grow.
In the spring, it will provide an incredible boost for the does and kids--- so long as the deer don't decimate it. But that's a story for another day!
Here, we have another great use of solar energy: boosting the temperature in the compost pile, which encourages the growth of bacteria that will convert organic waste into compost. The compost will eventually provide additional nutrients to the crops. And back to the animals. And to us. Who knew the sun, waste, and microbes could make something so wonderful?
Part of our sustainability plan is to continue to utilize solar energy in a multitude of ways. We're pleased to announce that Sunny Acres Farm has "gone solar" with the installation of panels on the barn, as well as on each home on the property. We've worked with Kasselman Solar to establish a great solar plan for our farm. If you're in the area and considering utilizing solar energy, please click on the link and check them out!
While we're talking about solar energy, there's on form of solar power yet unmentioned. It's probably the most powerful form of energy our farm has ever seen. We've managed to snap a picture of this energy- though it is usually so energetic, it is difficult to capture in photos: Kid-in-the-sunshine-energy. We have four units of this running at the moment, and it appears to be a totally renewable and limitless power source, if not a bit unpredictable at times.
So there you have it: Sunny Acres Farm is truly a solar-powered operation that has "gone green" since 1897.
