Julie Bishop now manages 450 Katahdin sheep grazing 85 acres of solar panels in Newfield, New Jersey, a leap from the 50‑sheep pilot that began on a single 15‑acre array in 2019—
Bishop secured a vegetation‑management contract with a local solar company after spotting workers mowing weeds around the panels. The deal birthed Solar Sheep LLC, a partnership that turned a farming problem into a renewable‑energy solution—
Daily operations rely on portable fencing to create rotating paddocks, careful placement of water and mineral stations, and a 24‑foot stock trailer that transports 50 sheep at a time. Her Australian Cattle Dog, Mandy, assists in herding and locating animals during moves between sites—
The success of the current farm has prompted Bishop to design a 700‑acre utility‑scale solar facility that includes lambing barns, feed storage, and year‑round water and electricity hookups, aiming to grow the flock to 1,000 sheep. The project is still in the planning phase, with environmental impact assessments underway—
Bishop’s experience also earned her a seat on the board of the American Solar Grazing Association, where she advises on best practices for integrating livestock with solar installations. Her work is already cited as a model for sustainable agriculture and renewable energy coexistence across the United States—