Franklin Township, Erie County

"Solar grazing. Solar grazing with sheep is highly encouraged and a preferred method of controlling ground cover growth. The Township believes co-pasturing is very beneficial to maintain our rural character. 1) Benefits of solar grazing: (a) Farm income is more diversified and increases family farm viability. (b) Farmland conservation and keeping farmland in farm production. (c) Added visual benefit and aesthetics for the community. (d) Solar grazing contributes dairy, meat, and wool to the locally sourced, renewable farm market. (e) With time, planning, and good management, sheep can do 90% to 100% of the vegetative maintenance work inside the fence, eliminating the need for mowing and reducing emissions and costs. 2) Provide a water well for sheep if public water is not available, and constant access to both water and shelter is required at all times. 3) Seed fenced area with grazing-friendly seed mix, Fuzz & Buzz seed mix or similar. 4) Where applicable, install fencing gates between adjoining solar parcels for moving sheep and line up gates between separately fenced sections of the arrays. 5) Allow your farmer to use portable low-voltage energizers and fences or consider installing low (three foot) interior fences to facilitate best grazing/ vegetation management. 6) Consider installing pipe fences and gates around inverter/transformer pads. 7) Adequate humane provisions for sheep must be provided year round."