Local farmers team up with Paradise Energy Solutions to bring sustainability to their operation
Farmers play a critical role in our community. They work extremely hard to be providers of food in an eco-friendly and economically sustainable way. Local vegetable farmer, One Acre Farm, and farm consultant, Plant To Profit, took a big step towards these sustainable ways with the recent energizing of their solar energy systems.
HORSHAM, Pa., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Farmers play a critical role in our community. They work extremely hard to be providers of food in an eco-friendly and economically sustainable way. Local vegetable farmer, One Acre Farm, and farm consultant, Plant To Profit, took a big step towards these sustainable ways with the recent energizing of their solar energy systems.
Located a few miles east of the Potomac River in Dickerson, MD, One Acre Farm grows and sells vegetables using the Community Supported Agriculture model (CSA). With a harvesting schedule running from June to November, keeping the CSA growing requires a lot of energy.
"Energy consumption plays a huge role in food production," stated Michael Protas, the owner of One Acre Farm. "I think it's important for folks who visit the farm to know about all aspects of what goes into growing food - energy-wise and economically."
Now with the newly energized 30-panel (10.3 kW) solar system financed by the CSA members, the farm is maximizing its most valuable resource - The Sun, to offset the energy needed to keep the farm running and to reduce costs to help the farm continue to be economically sustainable.
"Our primary goal as a farm is to make a profit and pay the people that work it a fair and livable wage," added Mr. Protas. Reducing costs with solar goes a long way to support that goal, but Mr. Protas also added that it's important for the public to understand the true cost of growing food. Having the solar panels visible at the farm is a good showcase of this for everyone that visits the farm.
Just a short drive to the East lives Ellen Polishuk, the owner of Plant To Profit. She installed a 40 panel (15.4 kW) solar system at her homestead garden and research station where she grows for her family's needs and experiments with various tools and techniques to help her business' grower clients.
As a Farm Consultant, Ellen helps clients perfect their growing process, labor management, and profitability. That's why the environmental and economic benefits made solar a perfect fit for her.
"Solar fits with my personal and company mission to live lightly on the earth and conserve precious resources," stated Ms. Polishuk. "It promotes a positive eco-friendly ethos, and fits with the mission of all farms to be providers of food and fiber, NOT resource-mining businesses."
About One Acre Farm - One Acre Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture model (CSA) farm that provides fresh, certified naturally grown vegetables to DC Locals. Visit http://www.Oneacrefarm.com to learn more.
About Plant To Profit - Plant To Profit's owner Ellen Polishuk is a biological farm consultant and teacher. She helps farmers, agricultural professionals, and eaters of all kinds appreciate and understand the complexity and beauty of farming. Learn more at http://www.planttoprofit.com.
About Paradise Energy Solutions - Paradise Energy Solutions is a family-owned, full-service solar installation company with over 1,300 solar installations throughout the mid-Atlantic region for businesses, farmers and homeowners. Their vision is to help people be good stewards of God's abundant resources. Visit http://www.ParadiseEnergy.com for more information.
SOURCE Paradise Energy Solutions
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