Week 7: July 12th – July 16th | Understanding Opportunities and Barriers to Colocation of Solar and Agricultural Land Use in Tioga County

The interviews are underway! My work this week included many informative farm visits and conversations with community stakeholders.

Monday started with a visit with some of the Tioga County Soil & Water Conservation District (“Soil & Water”) team to one of their project sites. I learned about the work Soil & Water has completed at Gunther Farms, a dairy farm in Newark Valley. The stream bank reinforcement, trees planted to form a buffer, and covered barnyard currently in construction are all joint efforts between Soil & Water and the farmers to reduce erosion and prevent pollution of water sources. I was also able to conduct a solar interview at this farm. Throughout my farm tours so far, I have seen many Soil & Water projects in action helping farms protect ecosystems, and after visiting the Gunther Farms site with the Soil & Water team I am more informed about these projects. I enjoy learning about the different ways farmers can mitigate their environmental impact through collaborations with Soil & Water.

Soil & Water tree plantings with the covered barnyard in progress in the background

One of the trees planted as part of the buffer project

Some of the Soil & Water team stands in front of their buffer project.

Mid-week, I spoke with another Soil & Water team member as a community stakeholder interview and sat in on the REAP (Rural Economic Area Partnership) Board meeting to gather more context about economic development in Tioga County.

I then toured Triple F Jerseys on Thursday with T. We walked through the original barn from the 1800s and learned about the history of the family dairy operation. Soil & Water helped construct a covered barnyard to protect the hillside that was once pasture and now has diverse vegetation regrowing. I was also able to ask about solar perspectives on this tour.

This covered barnyard was a Soil & Water Conservation District project.

This hillside is growing new vegetation now that the cows use the covered barnyard.

Friday, I visited and completed an interview at Marz Farm, an organic hay farm with pigs raised for pork and cows raised to go to market.

While in Berkshire, I visited Bottomland Farm and was shown around the regenerative farm. The farm hosts pigs, chickens, ducks, goats, as well as several crops like squash varieties, several types of berries, tomatoes, Swiss chard, and many, many more. The farmers use creative, regenerative practices to improve soil health and produce healthy products. I asked these innovative farmers about solar while on my tour, and I even got to taste some Bottomland Farm produce and take some home.

The chickens live in an old camper that has been turned into a coop on the inside. The goats enjoy hanging out there, as well!

The tomatoes grow in a high tunnel on trellises, along with several other crops like banana peppers.

Chicken tractors are moved along this field to renourish the earth and leave healthier vegetation in their wake.

More farm visits and interviews await next week!