October is Wool Month, and to mark the designation, a made-in-Alberta film showcases how one Alberta ranch is using their sheep to maintain a solar energy installation.
The Solar Sheep of Alberta is part of the film series "Fabric of Canada" series created by the Canadian Wool Council (CWC), and features Janna and Ryan Greir of Whispering Cedars Ranch near Strathmore, Alberta. “The Fabric of Canada” tells the unique stories of Canadian wool and the Canadians who transform it.
The Greir's have partnered with Capital Power to graze their ewes on the Strathmore Solar Site, and they delve into the fascinating and innovative world of solar grazing and discuss how the project has impacted their sheep and their operation.
Farmers Janna and Ryan Greir’s journey began as hobby farmers, but with Alberta’s boom in solar energy, they identified a unique opportunity. They proposed that their sheep be used to maintain the land around the solar energy panels. Their idea gained momentum and their small farm soon expanded into a bustling ranch where they now house over 400 sheep.
In the film, Janna and Ryan describe their symbiotic relationship with the sheep explaining that they use their “sheep as a service”. The sheep maintain the vegetal growth around solar panels and provide. Janna and Ryan also express their optimism about the future of the Canadian wool industry and their role in shaping it.
Congratulations to Janna and Ryan, on being able to share their story with industry while showcasing their passion and commitment to raising animals in an ethically humane manner, focusing on high health, maternal performance and environmental stewardship.