Greyledge Farm is committed to preserving our environment. In addition to utilizing best farm practices with our animals, we work actively with local land trusts, are good stewards of the land and seek to further differentiate ourselves through the use alternative energy. These are just a few of the ways we work to practice sustainable farming and be environmentally conscious:
Using Solar Power – In 2008, Greyledge Farm installed a state-of-the-art solar energy system on its new 7,500-square-foot calving barn and business office. The 6.8 kW SunPower™ solar system, which consists of 30 photovoltaic solar panels mounted on the south-facing side of the barn roof, generates enough electricity during the summer months to make Greyledge energy self-sufficient. The solar system monitors in real time the energy generated, the reduction in carbon emissions and the money saved by the system. Greyledge is currently evaluating the installation of wind power on the farm to further augment our commitment to the environment.
Working with Local Land Trusts – Greyledge Farm has been actively working with local land trusts to support open space and farm preservation. Greyledge leases land from both the Roxbury Land Trust and the Weantinoge Land Trust, the largest land trust in Connecticut.
Since early 2009, we have invested considerable time, effort and financial resources in reclaiming large parts of the 205-acre Smyrski farm in New Milford, Connecticut, which is owned by Weantinoge. After the Trust pledged to keep a portion of the historic property as a working farm, we collaborated with the Trust and its conservation agents to identify wetlands around the Aspetuck River and to re-establish farm fields that had become overgrown with brush and invasive plants. We have also improved the soil in the pastures and hay fields and fenced in about 85 acres of pasture to allow for rotational grazing of a portion of our Black Angus herd.
We harvest hay on multiple land trust properties to use as winter feed for our cattle, which also helps keep the farm fields productive and open for the public to enjoy.
Educating Youth about Sustainable Farming – Greyledge Farm’s commitment to the environment extends to educating young people about the importance of land preservation, renewable energy, sustaining local agriculture and observing best farm practices. We offer paid internships to qualified students enrolled at the Ellis Clark Regional Agriscience and Technology Center at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury, Connecticut. The vocational agricultural program has incorporated Greyledge Farm into its curriculum and conducts field trips to the farm to observe our farm practices first-hand. Greyledge Farm is also working with local elementary schools to increase awareness among younger students.
