Sustainable Vegetation Management Through Sheep

Three Creeks Farm is proud to partner with the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) to provide environmentally responsible vegetation management for solar arrays throughout New Hampshire.

Instead of repeated mowing, our Horned Dorset sheep naturally graze vegetation beneath and around solar panels, helping maintain sites while supporting soil health and local agriculture.

Our Partnership with PAREI

PAREI serves as the primary contact for all new solar grazing projects.

If you’re interested in exploring sheep grazing for your solar array, please contact PAREI first.

To help evaluate your property, include:

  • Photos of the site
  • Your vegetation management goals
  • The most troublesome plants or invasive species
  • Approximate acreage
  • Whether water is available on site

Once PAREI has reviewed the project, we’ll work together to determine whether your property is a good fit for managed grazing.

(A large button linking to PAREI’s contact page would work well here.)

Why Sheep?

Sheep provide a gentle, low-impact approach to vegetation management.

Rather than creating a perfectly manicured lawn, sheep work with the natural ecosystem. They graze desirable vegetation, trample many plants they don’t eat, naturally fertilize the soil, and contribute to the carbon cycle through their daily grazing.

Over time this creates healthier soils while reducing the need for repeated mechanical mowing.

Our sheep have successfully helped manage vegetation including:

  • Oriental Bittersweet
  • Glossy Buckthorn
  • Multiflora Rose
  • Wild Blackberry
  • Wild Raspberry

Every site is different, and while sheep are excellent vegetation managers, they are not a one-time solution for every invasive plant.

Why Sheep Instead of Goats?

People often ask if sheep damage solar equipment.

The answer is no.

Unlike goats, sheep are not climbers. They do not climb on solar panels or chew electrical wiring. Their calm grazing behavior makes them an excellent choice for properly designed solar installations.

What to Expect

Every site is different.

The number of sheep and the length of each grazing period depends on:

  • Total acreage
  • Vegetation density
  • Time of year
  • Weather conditions
  • Grazing progress

A typical grazing rotation lasts about four days, after which grazing is evaluated in approximately 12-hour increments to determine when the flock should move.

During the grazing season, sites are typically grazed twice to maintain vegetation throughout the growing season.

Landowners don’t need to do anything other than enjoy having sheep on their property.

Three Creeks Farm visits the flock twice every day to:

  • Check animal health
  • Monitor fencing
  • Ensure adequate water
  • Evaluate grazing progress

Pricing

Solar grazing is priced at:

$1,500 per acre

Minimum project fee: $1,500

The standard grazing agreement includes two grazing rotations during the growing season.

Payment schedule:

  • 50% due before the first grazing rotation
  • 50% due at the second flock delivery

Checks are made payable to PAREI.

If access paths must be cleared before temporary fencing can be installed, weed-whacking is billed at $50 per hour.

Water Requirements

Water access is an important part of every project.

During the planning process we’ll determine whether:

  • Water is available on site, or
  • Water needs to be transported to the property.

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Site Visits & Travel

Every solar grazing project begins with a conversation about your property and your vegetation management goals. We begin with a site visit to evaluate the site, discuss your objectives, and determine whether managed sheep grazing is the right fit.

Travel within 10 miles of Three Creeks Farm is included.

For sites outside our local service area, the following travel fees apply:

  • Within 10 miles: Included
  • 10–25 miles: $50
  • 25–40 miles: $100
  • 40–60 miles: $150
  • Over 60 miles: Please contact us for a customized quote.

We’ll always discuss travel costs before scheduling a visit, so there are no surprises.

Interested in Solar Grazing?

We’d love to explore whether sheep grazing is a good fit for your property.

Please begin by contacting PAREI with:

  • Photos of your site
  • Your management goals
  • The vegetation you’d like addressed
  • Property location
  • Approximate acreage

From there, PAREI and Three Creeks Farm will work together to determine the best grazing plan for your property.