Transcript:
In Madison, Wisconsin, solar power is helping an organic farm achieve its mission of improving food access.
Troy Farm is a project of the nonprofit Rooted. It grows produce for donation, operates a CSA, and offers a space for people to grow their own food.
For many years, it operated without on-site electricity, so produce was stored in a cooler about a mile away.
Huber: “It was extremely challenging in terms of the amount of time spent having to go travel back and forth and use other facilities off-site.”
Farm director Paul Huber says this was frustrating for workers, and increased labor costs.
So the farm installed two solar arrays – one in 2019 and one in 2023.
The energy they produce now powers two on-site coolers and a greenhouse.
Huber: “We have a machine that we call our giant salad spinner, which spins greens dry so that things like tender greens can hold up much better in storage.”
The energy also powers a well, so staff can water crops and wash vegetables on site.
Huber says solar energy has transformed the farm’s operations, so it runs more efficiently and workers are happier.
Huber: “It’s really night and day.”
Reporting credit: ChavoBart Digital Media
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