The Peru Gazette

Peru Gazette Photo

Cherry Hill Farm Photo

By John T Ryan

Peru Gazette Photo

November 5, 2025 , Peru, NY –  By now, many area residents are familiar with the Hamilton family solar farm (Hamilsun Solar) adjacent to Mannix Road. If they have keen eyesight, they probably have observed sheep roaming between the farm’s solar panels. Kristen Carpenter and Keagan Wood, who operate Cherry Hill Farm on Standish Road in Saranac, own the grazing sheep.

Caring for animals comes naturally to Kristen and Keagan, who met while showing animals at the Clinton County Fair. Keegan is a Saranac Central graduate who has always been interested in animals, but cows, not sheep. During high school, he was a member of the Whispering Pines 4-H Club in Peru. Kristen graduated from Northern Adirondack Central School, where she was an active member of the Future Farmers of America. In 2020, she earned a degree in animal science at Cornell University. Part of her studies included assisting in solar grazing research. She commented, “The research pointed to the many positive outcomes of solar grazing. Today, it’s happening all over the U.S.”

Solar grazing is recognized as a source of income for sheep farmers and as a benefit to solar farm operators, as it helps control vegetation that shades the solar panels. Mower and pesticide usage is reduced or eliminated. In addition, sheep dung often contains undigested plant seeds, which can yield a diverse flora that provides a rich habitat for various insects, birds, and small mammals, benefitting both the environment and local wildlife.  Kristen explained. “We’ve had up to 39 sheep grazing here. Right now there are 29. We rotate the sheep among seven paddocks and move the paddocks once a week. We don’t want the sheep to eat too low, damaging the soil and the plants. By next year, we hope to find a beekeeper who would locate hives near the panels.”

Kristen and Keagan also hope to grow their business. They started with only five sheep. Today they have 39.  Eventually, they hope to have many more sheep enjoying life at our region’s solar farms. One of the most satisfying aspects of solar grazing for Kristen and Keagan is the positive experience their son Easton is enjoying. During our interview last Sunday, Easton had an ear-to-ear smile as he encouraged the sheep to run in the solar farm paddock.

Mark Hamilton coordinates the Hamilsun Solar project for his family. Today, Mark commented, “We love the sheep! It’s another way for us to maintain the property in an environmentally friendly manner, and it provides a really healthy experience for the sheep. It’s also been something the community has found interesting and positive, which we appreciate. We are excited to have them back next year!”