The Food Group have been exploring farming between solar panels for the last two years to address land access issues and barriers. We are getting ready to enter into our 3rd year of this pilot. We are looking for farmers to grow between solar panels in Big Lake, MN for 2025.
This past season we had 2 farm families growing there along with a research plot and a demonstration plot. We have been successful in growing vegetables but want to scale up with the # of farmers who can grow there. They will be returning next year, and our hope is to learn from more farmers about their experience growing in these spaces before we decide how to move forward.
With that in mind, we're looking for vegetable farmers with at least a few years of experience growing in MN/the Midwestern climate, as well as those with established markets. We have limited staff there so we want to make sure farmers entering into this space have experience to grow food. We can provide Technical assistance in supporting farmers on how to work around the panels, but need farmers to know how to produce.
We're providing 1/4 acre to each farmer at no charge for the 2025 season. We'll till the land in the spring. Farmers are required to attend a few trainings, to work with the project lead on crop planning as growing between the panels is different than growing out in the open, and to communicate with us in a timely manner. After 2025 we'll take what we learn and decide how to move forward. We are digging a well so will have water for irrigation and washing produce, and are building a packshed next spring.
Learn more about the project here.
Read an article about the project here.
Interested farmers can apply here by December 20th.
Please reach out to Sarah Woutat sarah@uprootfarm.com for any specific questions!
Please share this information with growers and farmers in your network!
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