Handsome Brook Farms Powers Solar Energy through USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Grant

Solar Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Emergent Solar Energy and VSG Solar as part of the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Grant. This collaboration marks a milestone in our commitment to sustainability, expanding climate-smart technologies across our organic egg farm network in the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast.

About the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Grant

The USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Grant fuels sustainable agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and improve environmental outcomes. As a leader in organic egg production, Handsome Brook Farms is proud to leverage this funding to integrate renewable energy on our farms, with solar energy playing a central role in our climate-smart strategy.

Powerful Partnerships: Emergent Solar and VSG Solar

Our collaboration with Emergent Solar Energy, led by Jeremy Lipinski, brings tailored solar solutions designed specifically for agricultural needs. With a background in finance and agriculture, Jeremy communicates the economic benefits of solar energy directly to farmers, showing how they can achieve greater stability. “We’re locking in today’s energy prices,” Jeremy notes, “providing cost stability that insulates these farms from future utility inflation.”

Emergent’s Project Lead, and Jeremy’s son, Zac Martinez, brings hands-on experience building solar arrays, underscoring the dedication of family-owned businesses like Emergent Solar. “I’m excited about this partnership because it’s about more than just energy savings,” Zac shares. “For these farmers, solar will offset 100% of the energy load, offering security that’s rare in today’s market.”

In the Northeast, VSG Power works with farmers like Vernon Martin, who recently installed a solar panel array near his barn. The design is tailored not only to produce energy but also to improve animal welfare and land management. “The solar panels give my chickens a safe place to roam,” Vernon explains. “They can move between the solar panels and trees, keeping close to the barn where they feel safe. It’s a setup that works for both the birds and the land.”

Penn Martin from VSG Power explains the operational flow of their solar installations. “If we zoom out a bit, the solar array here powers the whole facility, sending energy directly to the main service panel,” he says. “When the sun rises and panels start generating power, that electricity flows like a river—straight to the local loads. If the chicken barn or a tractor charging station needs power, it’s there. And if there’s more power than needed, it flows back into the grid, generating credits through net metering. This way, any excess energy supports the farm or even powers a neighbor’s house, and the meter runs backward, creating credits the farmer can use when demand is higher, like during winter.”

The Impact of Solar on Our Farming Community

The solar arrays installed by Emergent and VSG Power promise substantial economic and environmental benefits for our farm network. By offsetting energy costs, we’re helping farmers hedge against fluctuating utility rates. This stability frees up resources, enabling our partner farmers to reinvest in their farms and enhance their infrastructure for animal welfare.

Embracing solar energy also aligns with our mission of environmental stewardship. The arrays will reduce the carbon footprint of our operations, source energy responsibly, and set a new industry standard for sustainable egg farming. 

Securing the Future of Family Farms

Handsome Brook Farms is committed to safeguarding the future of family-owned farms. Solar energy offers a way to secure their legacy, providing a buffer against economic challenges and climate pressures. As Zac notes, “solar energy helps ensure these farms will be viable for future generations.”

Looking Forward: Expanding Solar Across Our Network

As solar arrays continue to rise across our network, we’re not stopping here. In addition to these installations, Handsome Brook Farms is exploring new partial solar projects to extend the reach of this transformative technology. These future initiatives will empower more farms in our network to harness solar energy, enhancing resilience and sustainability.

Through our partnerships with Emergent Solar and VSG Power, we’re pioneering a climate-smart model for egg farming that benefits the environment, our farmers, and the communities we serve.