Eric Bronson is a first-generation sheep producer based in Charles City, Virginia. After studying
at Montana State University in Bozeman and gaining experience managing a cattle operation in
Goochland, Virginia, Bronson began building his own sheep operation from the ground up.
Facing intense competition for agricultural land in a corn- and soybean-heavy region, he turned
to sheep as a more adaptable and profitable fit for the smallervaried parcels he was able to
lease.

Over time, Bronson found a natural opportunity in solar grazing, using sheep to manage
vegetation on solar sites. He began exploring the field around 2015, when the practice was still
unfamiliar to many utilities and developers, and eventually secured his first contract after
persistent outreach and learning from peers in the industry. Today, he is a full-time sheep
producer.

For Bronson, solar grazing has provided a more stable year-round cash flow while creating a
high-welfare environment for his flock, with solar panels offering valuable shade during
Virginia’s hot, humid summers. His experience has required learning not only sheep
management in a challenging climate, but also the language, safety practices, and operational
demands of active power-generation sites. Through persistence, adaptability, and a willingness
to navigate a new industry, Bronson has helped demonstrate the practical value of integrating
sheep grazing with solar energy production.