Texas farmer went from 27 sheep to overseeing 10,000 across 40,000 acres
A Texas farmer has successfully scaled his business by utilizing his sheep to manage vegetation at large-scale solar farms. This practice, known as agrivoltaics, provides a cost-effective alternative to mechanical mowing for energy companies while offering farmers a sustainable income stream.
Why it matters
It highlights a practical intersection between renewable energy infrastructure and traditional agriculture, addressing land-use efficiency and operational costs.
When JR Howard considered selling his small flock of 27 sheep, he was struggling to make a living from farming in Texas. Today, he manages 10,000 sheep that graze across 40,000 acres of large solar farms throughout the state. The change began when a developer built a solar project near his property. Instead of seeing the energy project as a threat to farming, Howard secured a contract to let his sheep graze on the site and control plant growth. As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, that first deal gave him the income and opportunity he needed to grow his business into one of the largest solar grazing operations in North America.
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