In November, Sabrina Portner from the University of Minnesota presented on her exciting research into growing 14 different forage and grain crops at three different solar sites. The forages and grain were grown in the context of feeding them to the research farm dairy herd. Sabrina and her team looked at how different shade levels affected each crop’s biomass production, as well as the nutritional value of the crops.

This research addresses an important issue: as land availability pressures increase, especially with the expansion of solar in rural areas, the sustainable intensification of agriculture and the need for combining solar sites with agricultural production become more imperative. Their research works towards both goals of food production and clean energy production while providing flexible economic opportunities to farmers.

This Teatime was hosted by Kevin Richardson of the American Solar Grazing Association and Victorian Smart of the AgriSolar Clearinghouse.